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Meaning & use

peacock proud

adjective·Advancedliterary

Last updated

UK/ˌpiːkɒk ˈpraʊd/
US/ˌpiːkɑːk ˈpraʊd/

Meanings

  1. adjectivenot comparableliterary

    Extremely proud, especially in a way that shows off wealth, beauty, or success to other people.

    Grammar: Comes after a linking verb such as be, look, or seem: 'He was peacock proud.' It is not used before a noun.

    Patterns

    • be peacock proud
    • peacock proud of something
    • look peacock proud

    After winning the championship, the whole team walked in peacock proud, grinning at everyone.

    She was peacock proud of the garden she had grown from a few seeds.

    He looked peacock proud in his new uniform on the first day of school.

  2. adjectivenot comparableliterarydisapproving

    Showing off in a vain, strutting way, like a peacock displaying its tail.

    Grammar: Usually describes a person's manner or walk, and follows verbs like walk, strut, or stand.

    Patterns

    • walk peacock proud
    • strut peacock proud
    • stand peacock proud

    The young actor strutted peacock proud down the red carpet.

    He stood peacock proud at the front of the crowd, hoping someone would notice him.

Common combinations

peacock proud of
Her parents were peacock proud of her exam results.
walk peacock proud
The winner walked peacock proud across the stage.
look peacock proud
He looked peacock proud beside his brand-new motorbike.
as proud as a peacock
Since the promotion, she has been as proud as a peacock.

Synonyms and how they differ

vain
Describes someone too pleased with their own looks or abilities; 'peacock proud' adds the image of showing off in front of others.
smug
Means quietly pleased with yourself, often in an annoying way, but without the showy, strutting idea of 'peacock proud'.
boastful
Focuses on talking about your own achievements; 'peacock proud' can be silent and shown by appearance or manner.
arrogant
Suggests looking down on other people, which is stronger and more negative than simply being peacock proud.

Opposites

humblemodest

Word family

peacock noun
A large male bird with a long, colorful tail it can spread out.
proudly adverb
In a proud way: 'She proudly showed us her medal.'
pride noun
The feeling of being proud, or too high an opinion of yourself.

Commonly confused: peacock proud or proud as a peacock?

peacock proud vs proud as a peacock

This common simile means the same thing, but it is a fixed comparison phrase, while 'peacock proud' puts the noun first and sounds more literary.

Practice

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