What does supercilious mean?
Supercilious describes someone who is excessively arrogant, haughty, or contemptuous. The word is especially effective when the pride involved is directed toward other people, as in a person who dismisses colleagues, speaks with exaggerated authority, or treats ordinary people as though they are beneath their notice. It can modify behavior, attitudes, and mannerisms: a supercilious tone may be as revealing as a supercilious response. In contemporary English, the term is mostly formal and usually carries disapproval, although writers may use it for stylistic emphasis or to characterize a deliberately condescending figure. Its unusual history gives it a memorable image: it comes from Latin terminology associated with the eyebrow and the raised brow, a visible sign of pride or disdain. Knowing the word allows one to distinguish ordinary confidence or ambition from a more pointed display of superiority.
adjectiveArrogant and haughty, often in a way that suggests contempt for others. It describes behavior or attitudes marked by excessive self-importance or a sense of superiority.
- Arrogant and haughty, often showing contempt or a sense of superiority toward others.
"His supercilious manner made it difficult for the younger staff to approach him with ideas or concerns."
"She dismissed the suggestion with a supercilious air that made everyone in the room feel inferior."
"The critic's supercilious tone turned what could have been a constructive discussion into a confrontation."
Supercilious comes from the idea of a raised eyebrow: even a silent facial expression can convey contempt.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does supercilious come from?
Supercilious comes from Latin, from supercilium, meaning “eyebrow” or “raised eyebrow,” and the adjective superciliosus, meaning “haughty” or “arrogant.” The term developed in English in the early 17th century with the sense of showing contemptuous pride. Its relatives include superciliary, relating to the eyebrow or upper edge, and the French cognate supercilieux.
Related word forms
How supercilious is actually used
This is a formal, literary, and generally disapproving word. It is stronger and more specific than simply “proud,” often implying that someone behaves as though they are better or more important than others.