presumida

Presumida is the feminine form of the adjective presumido in Spanish and Portuguese, used to describe someone who is vain, self-important, or given to boasting. As a noun, presumida can refer to a vain or self-confident woman. In both languages, the term carries a pejorative tone and is commonly used in everyday speech, literature, and media to characterize affectations of vanity.

Etymology and forms: The word derives from the verb presumir (to presume, to boast), from Latin praesumere. The sense shifted from “to assume or suppose” to “to boast about oneself,” producing the adjectives presumido (masc.), presumida (fem.), and their plurals presumidos, presumidas.

Usage and nuance: Presumida emphasizes outward display and self-admiration, rather than mere arrogance. It is often used to describe women, though masculine forms are also used for men. Synonyms include vanidosa, engreída, and ostentosa; antonyms include humilde and modesta. In colloquial contexts, the tone can range from light teasing to sharp criticism, depending on intonation and region.

In cultural contexts, presumida appears in jokes, characterizations, and social commentary about vanity and appearance. As with related terms, its acceptability depends on context and speaker, and in formal language it may be replaced with more neutral terms such as vanidosa or orgullosa.