hauteur
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of hauteur
1620–30; < French, equivalent to haut high ( haughty ) + -eur -or 1
Explanation
Hauteur is an obnoxious display of overbearing pride and superiority over others. Rather than showing humility and respect, a bad king might act with hauteur toward his subjects. The noun hauteur stems from the Old English word haute, meaning "high in one's own estimation." Because it often develops as a result of power over others (or perceived power), it's often associated with royalty or politically powerful figures who throughout history have become vain and arrogant because of their position: A high-powered CEO might show hauteur toward the newly hired assistant; a professional athlete's hauteur may result from the media spotlight and multi-million-dollar contracts.
Vocabulary lists containing hauteur
The Great Gatsby
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "H"
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Pride and Prejudice
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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.
Ted is a cartoon creep with an Oxbridge hauteur, but Theo’s shortcomings may be too subtly rendered for a play that cries out for more definition.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 2026
“Whatever nomenclature you prefer,” Elizabeth offers, accentuating her speech with oozing hauteur.
From Salon • Apr. 5, 2024
As a character, Miss Liza Jane combines the hauteur of opera diva Jessye Norman and the sermonizing wisdom of Maya Angelou.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 29, 2023
Une sanction à la hauteur doit être immédiatement prononcée.
From Washington Post • Nov. 4, 2022
“It is true,” Milo exclaimed with a strong trace of the old hauteur.
From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller
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.
