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

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

From 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.

From 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.

From Los Angeles Times

But there has always been a soft center to his self-important characters.

From Los Angeles Times

Denis Leary, with a distracting dye job, plays self-important Army Col.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• arrogant 
• egotistical www.thesaurus.com
• pompous