proudly

Meanings

1. 1adverbcomparable

   In a manner that shows pleasure and satisfaction in something you or others have done or own.

   Grammar: Goes before or after the verb: she proudly showed it, he spoke proudly.

   Patterns

   • proudly announce something
   • proudly wear something

   She proudly held up her first-place ribbon.

   The father proudly watched his daughter graduate.

   They proudly display their grandmother's quilt in the hall.

2. 2adverbcomparable

   With a dignified bearing, sometimes with a sense of being better than others.

   Grammar: Describes posture or manner: stand proudly. It can sound critical depending on context.

   Patterns

   • stand proudly
   • walk proudly

   The old general stood proudly at the front of the parade.

   He walked proudly past the people who had mocked him.

   The flag flew proudly above the castle.

Word forms

Common combinations

proudly announce

The company proudly announced its fiftieth anniversary.

proudly display

The museum proudly displays the national treasures.

stand proudly

The statue stands proudly in the town square.

proudly wear

She proudly wore her late father's medal.

proudly present

We proudly present this year's winners.

Synonyms and how they differ

gladly

Gladly shows willingness or happiness, but does not suggest pride in an achievement.

haughtily

Haughtily is clearly negative, showing arrogant superiority, while proudly can be warm.

triumphantly

Triumphantly implies a victory has just been won, which proudly does not require.

Opposites

Word family

proud adjective

feeling pleased with achievements

pride noun

a feeling of satisfaction or self-respect

proudness noun

rare word for the state of being proud

prouder adjective

comparative of proud

Commonly confused: proudly or loudly?

Practice

Make it your own

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

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