proud
UK: praʊd | US: praʊd
adj. feeling deep pleasure or satisfaction due to achievements, qualities, or possessions
adj. having or showing a high opinion of oneself; arrogant
adj. (of an event or achievement) deserving admiration; impressive
The word "proud" traces back to Old English prūd, meaning "brave" or "noble," likely borrowed from Old French prud (a variant of preu, meaning "valiant"). Over time, its meaning shifted from external valor to internal self-satisfaction, reflecting societal changes in valuing personal achievement over martial prowess. The modern sense of "arrogant" emerged later, highlighting the dual nature of pride as both admirable and excessive.
She felt proud of her son’s academic success.
His proud demeanor made him unpopular among colleagues.
The team’s proudest moment was winning the championship.
A proud peacock displays its vibrant feathers.
They were too proud to accept help from others.