self-important
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
- self-importance noun
- self-importantly adverb
Etymology
Origin of self-important
First recorded in 1765–75
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.
Though both are esteemed actors in their own right, neither is too self-important to throw off the balance in front of the camera.
From Salon • Dec. 11, 2024
The former excels at playing the earthy, sly, seductive trickster, the latter, the pompous, self-important rich boy.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 31, 2024
It’s laughable to me how self-important as an industry we can be.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 19, 2024
It doesn’t make sense that Isaac, who comes off as a fairly self-important professional, doesn’t have any hired help when Sylvia arrives, especially given the family’s obvious economic resources.
From New York Times • Jan. 4, 2024
Jean Louise watched his self-important little face and almost laughed when she reflected that the South was indeed pitiless to reward its public servants with extinction.
From "Go Set a Watchman: A Novel" by Harper Lee
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.
