What does priding mean?
“Priding” is the present participle of “pride” and means taking pride in oneself or in something one has done. It commonly appears in the expression “pride oneself on” or “pride oneself in,” as in “She prides herself on her attention to detail.” The word can describe healthy confidence and accomplishment, but it often carries a faintly critical undertone, suggesting excessive self-satisfaction, boasting, or an unwillingness to share credit. In formal writing, it is most natural when describing a person's attitude toward an achievement, reputation, or personal quality. Because “priding” is a verb form rather than a separate lexical item, it is normally used in a progressive construction or with auxiliary verbs such as “was” and “has been.”
verb (present participle)Taking pride in oneself, one's abilities, or one's accomplishments, often in a way that suggests self-satisfaction or conceit.
- To regard oneself or one's achievements with pride.
"She was accused of priding herself on her ability to solve the problem before anyone else."
"He spent the evening priding himself on the team's victory."
"The guide's account was careful not to appear to be priding herself on having discovered the site."
The word carries a subtle warning: to be proud can be admirable, but to prying on a success can sound like self-congratulation.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of priding
The word “priding” is formed from “pride” with the present-participle ending -ing. “Pride” comes through Old French from Latin praeda, meaning “prey” or “spoil,” a development associated with taking pride in what one has captured or accomplished. Words such as “predator” and “predatory” derive from the same Latin root.
Related word forms
How priding is actually used
Usually used in the construction “pride oneself on/upon” or “pride oneself in.” It can be neutral when referring to justified confidence, but often has a mildly critical or ironic tone, especially when someone appears excessively self-satisfied.
Easily confused with priding
“Pride” is the noun or base verb meaning a sense of self-respect or the act of regarding oneself with pride, whereas “priding” is its present-participle form.