uppity

American  

[uhp-i-tee] / ˈʌp ɪ ti /

adjective

Informal.

1. affecting an attitude of inflated self-esteem; haughty; snobbish.

2. rebelliously self-assertive; not inclined to be tractable or deferential.

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uppity British  

/ ˈʌpɪtɪ /

adjective

1. not yielding easily to persuasion or control

2. another word for uppish

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Usage

More context on uppity Uppity means "haughty" and "snobbish"—an adjective for someone who puts on airs, someone who is self-important. But, this descriptor has a very racist past, used particularly to disparage Black people as "not remembering their place as inferior."Given this explicitly racist past, it is a good idea to cut down on using uppity. Read our next section for some wise alternatives.If knowing the history of uppity has got you reflecting on your word choices, this slideshow, "These Common Words Have Offensive Histories," discusses many other words whose place in your vocab you may want to reconsider. 

Other Word Forms

• uppityness noun

Etymology

Origin of uppity

1875–80, probably up + -ity, extended form of -y ¹; pernickety

Example Sentences

The man he persuaded to join the club when Rangers were getting uppity in 2016 and needed putting back in a box.

From BBC

The household was vegetarian before this was trendy or socially acceptable, and yet not in an uppity way.

From Los Angeles Times

The wealthiest and most international city in America, its grand mansions and comfortable houses would obviously be useful as a base for an invading army that was just beginning a campaign against uppity colonials.

From Washington Post

Here he applies his rich baritone to the refrains of “Teenage Dream” as his newly invented character, Lance, an uppity French nobleman, cavorts friskily with old flame Angelique.

From Washington Post

Like that comedy series, the film breaks the fourth wall by having its protagonist, Anne Elliot, the daughter of an uppity aristocrat, share witty commentary on the story’s happenings directly to the audience.

From Washington Post