pompous
[pom-puh s]
- characterized by an ostentatious display of dignity or importance: a pompous minor official.
- ostentatiously lofty or high-flown: a pompous speech.
- Archaic. characterized by pomp, or a display of stately splendor or magnificence: an impressive and pompous funeral.
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Origin of pompous
Synonyms
See more synonyms for pompous on Thesaurus.com1. pretentious. 2. inflated, turgid, bombastic.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for pompous
Contemporary Examples
This year, the show has even resurrected Eliot Ness, seen making a pompous speech to reporters about bringing Capone to justice.
Is it pompous to wonder why, as a working journalist, Wikipedia affords the other guy that title?
But he still has the cojones to speak his mind: Thomas Freidman is a ‘pompous ass.’
Man is a Noble Animal,” Browne wrote, “splendid in ashes, and pompous in the grave.
It started last Friday when Wolff described Alter in his online Newser column as “the most pompous man in American journalism.”
Historical Examples
It is amusing to read Tarleton's pompous account of this pursuit.
A Sketch of the Life of Brig. Gen. Francis MarionWilliam Dobein James
He had disliked Peppajee as a pompous egotist among his kind.
Good IndianB. M. Bower
It has a pompous Latin name, but it is incurably Gothic and grotesque.
Alarms and DiscursionsG. K. Chesterton
Well, pompous Chase; how do you feel for having sided with Seward?
Diary from November 12, 1862, to October 18, 1863Adam Gurowski
Her delivery was unnatural and pompous; her motions were stiff, strained, ridiculous.
Cleo The MagnificentLouis Zangwill
pompous
- exaggeratedly or ostentatiously dignified or self-important
- ostentatiously lofty in stylea pompous speech
- rare characterized by ceremonial pomp or splendour
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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
Word Origin and History for pompous
adj.
late 14c., "characterized by exaggerated self-importance," from Old French pompos (14c., Modern French pompeux) and directly from Late Latin pomposus "stately, pompous," from Latin pompa "pomp" (see pomp). More literal (but less common) meaning "characterized by pomp" is attested from early 15c. Related: Pompously.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper