proud

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparable

   Feeling pleased satisfaction in your own achievements or in those of someone close to you.

   Grammar: Often predicative: proud of the result; also before a noun: a proud parent.

   Patterns

   • proud of someone
   • proud of doing something
   • proud to do something

   We are proud of our daughter for finishing the marathon.

   She felt proud to be part of the volunteer team.

2. 2adjectivenot comparableapproving

   Having dignity and self-respect, especially in connection with identity, heritage, or conduct.

   Grammar: Often before a noun and approving in tone.

   Patterns

   • a proud tradition
   • a proud people
   • proud heritage

   The town has a proud tradition of welcoming visitors.

   He spoke of his family’s proud history in farming.

3. 3adjectivecomparabledisapproving

   Thinking too highly of yourself; unwilling to admit fault or accept help.

   Grammar: Negative sense; often in too proud to do something.

   Patterns

   • too proud to apologize
   • too proud to ask
   • proud and stubborn

   He was too proud to ask for directions and got lost.

   Her proud manner made it hard to work with her.

Word forms

Common combinations

proud of someone

Her parents were proud of her first paid job.

proud to be

He is proud to be the first in his family to attend college.

a proud moment

Hearing her name called was a proud moment.

too proud to ask

I was too proud to ask for help carrying the boxes.

Synonyms and how they differ

pleased

Pleased is general satisfaction; proud adds personal connection to an achievement.

dignified

Dignified stresses calm self-respect, while proud can also include pleasure in success.

Opposites

Word family

pride noun

A feeling of satisfaction in achievement or identity.

proudly adverb

In a proud way.

Commonly confused: proud or arrogant?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “proud”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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