arrogance
Americannoun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of arrogance
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin arrogantia “presumption”; see arrogant, -ance
Explanation
Arrogance is overbearing pride or haughtiness. If your friends are constantly complaining about your arrogance, you might want to lose the haughty attitude and try to be more humble. Arrogance comes from the Latin arrogans which means overbearing. If you show arrogance, your pride is overbearing and offensive to others. Arrogance can also be attributed to corporations who fail to take consumer opinion into account and to nations that seem to do whatever they want with no regard for other countries.
Vocabulary lists containing arrogance
The Westing Game
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Dwight D. Eisenhower, "The Military-Industrial Complex" (1961)
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Thirteen Reasons Why
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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.
His determination may be admirable, but the sheer, futile arrogance of such a display backfires in equally spectacular fashion.
From Salon ● Jul. 18, 2026
The court heard that evidence Hassan, also known as Samir, gave at his trial showed "staggering arrogance and comfortable dishonesty" as he described a "jet-setting, entourage-type lifestyle, working for an A-list musician".
From BBC ● Jul. 11, 2026
“I saw the arrogance in the eyes of those settlers, 21- and 22-year-olds with guns, laughing that they had detained us,” Khanna said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 11, 2026
Ordinarily that would show dangerous arrogance, but this new study finds that in the case of pure news it actually is helpful.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 4, 2026
Cinder’s arrogance left him in a second, like water poured from a bucket.
From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss
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.
