hubris
Americannoun
noun
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pride or arrogance
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(in Greek tragedy) an excess of ambition, pride, etc, ultimately causing the transgressor's ruin
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of hubris
First recorded in 1880–85, hubris is from the Greek word hýbris insolence
Explanation
Hubris is an excess of confidence: a boxer who shouts "I'm the greatest!" even though he's about to get pummeled by a much stronger opponent is displaying a lot of hubris. Hubris is from Greek, where it meant "excessive pride, violating the bounds set for humans" and was always punished by the gods. We no longer have the Greek gods, so in English it just refers to over-the-top self-confidence. If you call yourself the best in something, you better have the goods to back it up, since too much hubris can lead to embarrassment and humiliation. It's an age-old human failing: pride goeth before the fall.
Vocabulary lists containing hubris
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Into the Wild
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Hubris is not unknown in the field of politics.
From Salon • Apr. 29, 2025
Hubris was long the engine of De León’s 18-year political career.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 19, 2025
Hubris and clumsy tactics are more to the point.
From New York Times • May 11, 2022
Hubris and history, among workers and bosses alike, receive context here, again and again.
From Seattle Times • Feb. 3, 2022
"No, Seaweed Brain. That’s hummus. Hubris is worse."
From "The Sea of Monsters" by Rick Riordan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
