What does arrogance mean?
Arrogance is the quality of having an exaggerated sense of one's own importance, abilities, or worth, usually accompanied by behaviour that is overbearing, dismissive, or presumptuous toward other people. Unlike confidence, which rests on a realistic assessment of one's capabilities, arrogance inflates the self at others' expense; unlike assertiveness, it does not merely advocate for itself but diminishes those around it. English speakers commonly speak of 'sheer arrogance' or 'an air of arrogance', and the word carries an unfailingly negative connotation — it is never used as praise. Deriving from the Latin verb arrogare, meaning 'to claim for oneself', it entered English in the early modern period alongside its adjective form 'arrogant'. Because it names a fault nearly everyone recognises yet rarely admits to in themselves, arrogance remains a staple of criticism in politics, business, and everyday life, and understanding the distinction between it and healthy self-assurance is a useful mark of social insight.
The trait of overestimating one's own importance or abilities, typically expressed through overbearing or contemptuous behaviour.
"The manager's arrogance alienated even his most loyal supporters."
Usually uncountable; the rare plural 'arrogances' refers to individual instances of arrogant behaviour.
A specific act or utterance that presumes unwarranted authority or superiority.
"Telling the experts they were wrong before hearing them out was pure arrogance."
Countable use; less common than the general sense.
Rare; used only when referring to multiple distinct instances or manifestations of arrogant behaviour. In most contexts arrogance is treated as uncountable.
"The memoir catalogues the arrogance of his early years with unsparing honesty."
Arrogance comes from the Latin arrogare — 'to claim for oneself' — the same root that gives us the word 'arrogate': literally to seize something without justification.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of arrogance
Arrogance derives from the Latin verb arrogare, meaning 'to claim for oneself' or 'to assume', formed from ad- ('to') plus rogare ('to ask'). The noun entered English in the early 17th century via French, alongside the adjective 'arrogant', which had arrived somewhat earlier from Latin arrogantem. Its cognates include 'arrogate', meaning to appropriate something without right, preserving the original sense of unjustified claiming.
Related word forms
How arrogance is actually used
Always negative in connotation. It is stronger than mere confidence or self-assurance and typically implies contempt or disregard for others. The plural 'arrogances' is rare and generally avoided; the word is almost always used as an uncountable noun.
Easily confused with arrogance
Assertiveness is confident and respectful self-advocacy, while arrogance implies an unjustified sense of superiority over others.
Confidence is a realistic belief in one's own abilities, whereas arrogance involves exaggerating one's importance and dismissing others.