pompous

[ pom-puhs ]

/ ˈpɒm pəs /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR pompous ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

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.

Nearby words

Origin of pompous

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English word from Late Latin word pompōsus. See pomp, -ous

SYNONYMS FOR pompous

1. pretentious. 2. inflated, turgid, bombastic.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR pompous ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formspomp·ous·ly, adverbun·pomp·ous, adjectiveun·pomp·ous·ly, adverbun·pomp·ous·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for pompous

This year, the show has even resurrected Eliot Ness, seen making a pompous speech to reporters about bringing Capone to justice.
'Boardwalk Empire' Left New Jersey and Lost Its Way|Allen Barra|September 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Is it pompous to wonder why, as a working journalist, Wikipedia affords the other guy that title?
The Dangers of Trusting Wikipedia With Your Life|Michael Moynihan|April 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But he still has the cojones to speak his mind: Thomas Freidman is a ‘pompous ass.’
Ed Koch at 88: New York’s Still-Outspoken Ex-Mayor Holds No Grudges|Lloyd Grove|January 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Man is a Noble Animal,” Browne wrote, “splendid in ashes, and pompous in the grave.
Halloween Read: Thomas Browne’s Eerie Premonition of His Burial|Stefan Beck|October 30, 2012|DAILY BEAST

It started last Friday when Wolff described Alter in his online Newser column as “the most pompous man in American journalism.”
The Greatest Literary Feuds|The Daily Beast|September 6, 2012|DAILY BEAST
One can almost hear a eulogist winding himself up to strike his eulogy that comes out sententious, pompous, and full of self.
The Journal of a Disappointed Man|Wilhelm Nero Pilate Barbellion
The pompous official drew near, and looked over his shoulder at the card.
Five Little Peppers at School|Margaret Sidney
He has no sentiment beyond a dudish and pompous admiration for himself, and he covets every hen he sees.
The Wild Turkey and Its Hunting|Edward A. McIlhenny
He is a pompous sham, who wants taking down, said the gilded youth.
Darkness and Dawn|Frederic W. Farrar
He took up Ward's pompous remarks and made jokes of them, so that that young divine chafed and almost choked over his great meals.
The Virginians|William Makepeace Thackeray

British Dictionary definitions for pompous

pompous

/ (ˈpɒmpəs) /

adjective

exaggeratedly or ostentatiously dignified or self-important

ostentatiously lofty in stylea pompous speech

rare characterized by ceremonial pomp or splendour

Derived Formspompously, adverbpompousness, noun

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

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.

pompous

adjective

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Origin of pompous

Examples from the Web for pompous

pompous

adjective

pompous