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Synonyms

pomp

American  
[pomp] / pɒmp /

noun

  1. stately or splendid display; splendor; magnificence.

  2. ostentatious or vain display, especially of dignity or importance.

  3. pomps, pompous displays, actions, or things.

    The official was accompanied by all the pomps of his high position.

  4. Archaic. a stately or splendid procession; pageant.

pomp British  
/ pɒmp /

noun

  1. stately or magnificent display; ceremonial splendour

  2. vain display, esp of dignity or importance

  3. obsolete a procession or pageant

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Usage

What are other ways to say pomp?

Pomp refers to stately or splendid display, or to display that is ostentatious or vain. When should you use pomp over show, display, or ostentation? Find out on Thesaurus.com.

Other Word Forms

  • pompless adjective

Etymology

Origin of pomp

1275–1325; Middle English < Latin pompa display, parade, procession < Greek pompḗ originally, a sending, akin to pémpein to send

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.

He loved military pomp and ceremony and viewed himself as a brilliant strategist, despite a total lack of expertise or experience.

From Salon

The Stade de France is putting on plenty of pomp on Saturday.

From BBC

The image of a man who lost all sense of ceremony in a show that is almost completely about leaning into the avant garde and fantastical pomp of a Scottish castle.

From Salon

"Nice T-shirt," he remarked to an audience member who was wearing a top with "POSH" in big letters with a photo of his mum in her Spice Girls pomp.

From BBC

Behind the pomp and glitter, each school chooses an annual theme, often linked to Afro-Brazilian heritage, social or political commentary, mythology and environmental issues.

From Barron's

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.