supercilious

American  

[soo-per-sil-ee-uhs] / ˌsu pərˈsɪl i əs /

adjective

1. haughtily disdainful or contemptuous, as a person or a facial expression.

   Synonyms:

   scornful, arrogant

   Antonyms:

   humble

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supercilious British  

/ ˌsuːpəˈsɪlɪəs /

adjective

1. displaying arrogant pride, scorn, or indifference

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Other Word Forms

• superciliously adverb
• superciliousness noun
• unsupercilious adjective
• unsuperciliously adverb
• unsuperciliousness noun

Etymology

Origin of supercilious

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin superciliōsus; supercilium, -ous

Explanation

Supercilious people think very highly of themselves, more highly than of others. If your sister tends to act snobby and superior, you can describe her as supercilious. You might expect Nobel Prize winners to be supercilious — after all, they've reached the very heights of their profession. But one-on-one, your famous physics professor might be humble and fun to talk to, anything but supercilious. Most often, it's people who have no right to be arrogant, rude, and holier-than-thou who behave in the most supercilious ways. The Latin root supercilium means "haughty demeanor," but also "eyebrow" — as in an eyebrow raised in a haughty, supercilious expression.

Example Sentences

Most memorable is the exit of Pozzo and Lucky that finds Pozzo slowly pushing Lucky in his wheelchair—illustrating the idea that there remains a bedrock of humanity even in this supercilious boor.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 29, 2025

Aldridge’s Stanley is as obtuse as he is supercilious, a dangerous combination for Francis and a hilarious one for us.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 9, 2025

But they are united in their certainty that their decisions, not the gripes of some supercilious state legislators, are the law of the land.

From Slate • Sep. 5, 2023

Among other things, it explains the remarkably supercilious attitude Kakes has displayed toward even senior West Ham officials — including, especially, Nate.

From New York Times • Apr. 5, 2023

There it was again, that mysterious smile, sad and supercilious at the same time.

From "Inkheart" by Cornelia Funke