proudly

proudly — adverb

1. showing pleasure or satisfaction about your own or someone else's success, abili

1.adverbB1
Definition

showing pleasure or satisfaction about your own or someone else's success, abilities, or good qualities

Example

Noor smiled proudly as her daughter accepted the scholarship award.

proudly + verb of emotion (smiled proudly)

The small bakery proudly displays its handmade bread in the front window.

proudly + verb of display (displays proudly)

Common collocations
  • smiled proudly
  • proudly displayed
  • proudly showed
  • proudly announced
  • proudly declared
  • proudly wears
  • proudly flies
Synonyms
  • with pride

    less common as a single adverb; more typical in formal or literary writing

  • boastfully

    negative connotation — suggests showing pride in an exaggerated or annoying way

  • haughtily

    negative connotation — suggests arrogant pride and a sense of being better than others

Antonyms
  • humbly

    without pride or self-importance; the opposite of showing pride

  • shamefully

    with a feeling of shame rather than pride

  • modestly

    without claiming too much credit or attention for your achievements

Grammar Patterns

proudly + verb of display (show, display, feature, wear)

adverb modifying verb of speech (announce, declare, speak)

Usage Note

Often used with verbs of showing, speaking, or displaying, such as display, show, announce, declare, wear, or smile. The word carries a positive or neutral tone in most contexts; to express excessive or arrogant pride, use boastfully or haughtily instead.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

Proudly is the most neutral and widely used of these adverbs, carrying a positive or simply factual tone — a person can proudly show their work without being rude. Boastfully adds a negative judgement: someone who speaks boastfully exaggerates their achievements to impress others. Haughtily describes someone who acts as if they are superior to everyone around them, often looking down on others. Smugly is more specific: it describes a quiet, self-satisfied pride that others find annoying. For example: 'She proudly accepted the award' (neutral-positive). 'He boastfully listed every medal he had ever won' (negative, excessive). 'The manager haughtily dismissed the staff suggestions' (arrogant). 'Leaning back smugly, he thought he had proven everyone wrong' (annoying self-satisfaction).

proudly ↗boastfullyhaughtilysmugly

Etymology

Old FrenchOld EnglishEnglish

Formed from the adjective proud (from Old English prūd, via Old French prud 'brave, valiant') plus the adverb-forming suffix -ly.