self-important

[self-im-pawr-tnt, self-]

adjective

1. having or showing an exaggerated opinion of one's own importance; pompously conceited or haughty.

self-important

adjective

1. having or showing an unduly high opinion of one's own abilities, importance, etc

Other Word Forms

• self-importance noun
• self-importantly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of self-important¹

First recorded in 1765–75

Example Sentences

As Frost pointed out, it’s not necessary to annoy people with self-important umbrage.

Read more on Salon

There are plenty of scrappy indie thrillers and international chillers that can pick up the slack outside of the glitzy domestic market, where Hollywood horror often gets lost in its own self-important sauce.

Read more on Salon

The band have claimed their take on Republicanism is partially tongue-in-cheek - satirising the self-important sloganeering they grew up with.

Read more on BBC

I don’t want to make it sound totally self-important, but I do think there is something that's kind of nihilistic: “Don’t sell out, man,” even as you're selling out.

Read more on Salon

“John Orr is basically a god among arson investigators in the state of California at that time,” said Matassa, who had taken classes from Orr and regarded him as arrogant and self-important.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• arrogant 
• egotistical www.thesaurus.com
• pompous