haughty
Say it: HAW-tee /ˈhɔːti/ · adjective
What “haughty” means
Acting as though other people are beneath you.
More precisely: Arrogantly superior and disdainful towards others.
Example: “The haughty sommelier sighed when we asked for the cheapest red.”
When to use it
When someone treats others with proud disdain. A critical, fairly formal word for an openly superior manner.
Memory trick
French haut means high: picture someone holding their nose high above everyone.
Similar words
arrogant, snooty, disdainful
Where it comes from
From obsolete haught, from Old French haut, 'high'.
Quick check
A guest wrinkles her nose at your homemade food and acts as though eating with you is beneath her. She's…
reserved or haughty?
Show the answer
haughty
Learn 5 new words a day in Kinquire. Each with a picture, how to say it, an example and a quick check, then spaced review so you actually keep them. Free to start.
Learn “haughty”