different between pompous vs disdainful

English

Etymology

From Middle English pompous, from Old French pompeux, from Late Latin pomposus, from Latin pompa (“pomp”), from Ancient Greek ????? (pomp?, “a sending, a solemn procession, pomp”), from ????? (pémp?, “I send”). Doublet of pomposo.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?p?mp?s/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /?p?mp?s/

Adjective

pompous (comparative more pompous, superlative most pompous)

1. Affectedly grand, solemn or self-important.
   • 1848, Thackeray, William Makepeace, Vanity Fair, Bantam Classics (1997), 16:

     "Not that the parting speech caused Amelia to philosophise, or that it armed her in any way with a calmness, the result of argument; but it was intolerably dull, pompous, and tedious; and having the fear of her schoolmistress greatly before her eyes, Miss Samuel did not venture, in her presence, to give way to any ebullitions of private grief."

Synonyms

• conceited
• smug
• See also Thesaurus:arrogant

Antonyms

• humble
• modest
• self-effacing

Related terms

• pomp
• pomposity
• pompously

Translations

Further reading

• pompous in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• pompous in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• pompous at OneLook Dictionary Search

English

Etymology

disdain +? -ful

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /d?s?de?n.f?l/

Adjective

disdainful (comparative more disdainful, superlative most disdainful)

1. Showing contempt or scorn; having a pronounced lack of concern for others viewed as unworthy.

   He was disdainful of those he thought of as the little people. He openly sneered at them. They mocked him behind his back.

   She glimpsed at the people whom she had left behind, and smirked in the most disdainful manner towards them.

Synonyms

• despising, scornful, contemptuous

Antonyms

• respectful

Derived terms

• disdainfully

Translations