What does haughtiness mean?
Haughtiness is a formal noun for the quality of behaving with arrogant pride, self-importance, or an overbearing sense of superiority. It typically appears in critical descriptions of a person's tone, manner, or social attitude: a curt reply can be described as haughty, and a formal style of address as haughtily superior. The word is more strongly evaluative than simply “high-minded” or “proud”; it normally implies that the person considers others beneath them or expects special treatment. Haughtiness can also suggest excessive dignity, reserve, or loftiness, especially in literary or historical contexts, although the dominant modern sense is disdainful arrogance. It is chiefly used in British and American English and is especially common in formal criticism, biography, and literary discussion. Because it names a manner rather than a single action, it is often used with phrases such as “a touch of haughtiness” or “with haughtiness.” The related adjective is haughty, while hauteur is a more literary and often more elegant term for a similar quality.
nounHaughtiness is arrogant pride or self-importance, especially as expressed in an overbearing manner toward others. It can also refer to excessive dignity, reserve, or loftiness.
- Arrogant pride, self-importance, or an overbearing sense of superiority, especially in a person's manner or attitude.
"Her haughtiness made it difficult for colleagues to approach her with concerns or suggestions."
"A slight edge of haughtiness entered his voice when the young man questioned his decision."
"The novel's aristocratic characters are portrayed with a haughtiness that both establishes their status and exposes their limitations."
Rare; haughtiness is normally used uncountably to name a quality or manner.
"The critic rarely tolerated the haughtinesses of the actors."
Haughtiness turns pride into posture: it names the moment when confidence begins to look down on everyone else.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does haughtiness come from?
Haughtiness was formed in English from the adjective haughty plus the suffix -ness and was in use by the early 17th century. Haughty comes through Old French haut, meaning “high,” from a Germanic word with the same basic meaning. The related French noun hauteur derives from the same root and carries a similar sense of proud or lofty bearing.
How haughtiness is actually used
Generally formal and distinctly evaluative, this word is often used in literary criticism, biography, and descriptions of social behavior. In its dominant modern sense it is more critical than neutral, although literary contexts may use it for lofty bearing or reserved dignity.
Easily confused with haughtiness
Haughty is the adjective describing someone or something marked by haughtiness, whereas haughtiness is the noun naming that quality.