haughty

Haughty is an adjective used to describe a person or their manner as arrogantly superior and disdainful toward others. It implies a sense of self-importance and a tendency to look down on people or ideas perceived as beneath the speaker. Common collocations include a haughty attitude, a haughty demeanor, a haughty reply, or a haughty gaze. The term often carries a negative or critical tone and is more biting than simply proud or confident.

Etymology and sense development: Haughty originates from Old French haut, meaning "high," and entered English via Middle English. The sense evolved from the notion of physical elevation or loftiness to social or moral elevation—a position of superiority over others. Over time, it acquired its characteristic connotation of disdainful arrogance, typically used in formal or literary contexts.

Usage notes: Haughty is generally employed to critique someone’s manner or speech rather than to describe casual confidence. It is frequently used in descriptions of behavior in literature, history, or journalism to convey contempt or authoritarian aloofness. While similar to words like arrogant, proud, or conceited, haughty emphasizes condescension and a patronizing posture toward others, often with a chilly or mocking undertone.

Related terms: supercilious, disdainful, pompous, conceited, arrogant. Antonyms include humble, modest, unpretentious. In translation, equivalents include hautain in French and haut em English derivatives in other languages.