pomposity

American  

[pom-pos-i-tee] / pɒmˈpɒs ɪ ti /

Also pompousness

noun

plural

pomposities

1. the quality of being pompous.

2. pompous parading of dignity or importance.

3. an instance of being pompous, as by ostentatious loftiness of language, manner, or behavior.

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pomposity British  

/ pɒmˈpɒsɪtɪ /

noun

1. vain or ostentatious display of dignity or importance

2. the quality of being pompous

3. ostentatiously lofty style, language, etc

4. a pompous action, remark, etc

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Etymology

Origin of pomposity

1400–50; late Middle English pomposite < Late Latin pompōsitās. See pompous, -ity

Explanation

The noun pomposity means super-sized self-confidence. A person who thinks he or she is better than every else suffers from pomposity — and everyone in that person's life suffers, too. Pomposity, pronounced "pahm-POSS-ih-tee," isn't just for arrogant people. Things can have this unpleasant quality, too. For example, the pomposity of an award ceremony that presents the winners and judges as the most important people who ever lived will leave viewers cold. Language can also be a victim of pomposity — when someone says, "We dined at our beloved little bistro," another person would say, "We ate at our favorite neighborhood joint."

Example Sentences

Pomposity aside, the book’s description is incredibly opaque, with the attempted “hook” being:

From Slate • Jun. 9, 2021

Pomposity is still one of his favorite comedic modes, though he now uses it as a more straightforward form of self-deprecation.

From Slate • Dec. 8, 2015

Pomposity is a Brent specialty, and the name of his heroine, an extremely fey matron, keys the whole comedy�Clytemnestra Hope.

From Time Magazine Archive

Pomposity and arrogance are the enemies of getting things done.

From Time Magazine Archive

Pomposity is a failure of decorum, as is vulgarity or boastfulness.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith

Related Words

• pretension