self-important
Meaning
Having or showing an exaggerated sense of one's own value or importance; pompous.
Structure
Usage
His self-important manner made it difficult for others to approach him.
She dismissed the critic's remarks as the rantings of a self-important journalist.
The manager's self-important speeches were a frequent topic of office ridicule.
Etymology
The compound 'self-important' is a relatively modern English formation, emerging in the 18th century. It combines the ancient Germanic root for identity, 'self', with the Latinate adjective 'important', which itself derives from the Latin verb importare ("to bring in, imply, be of consequence"). The literal construction suggests one who "imports" or assigns great consequence to oneself. Over time, this literal sense evolved into the modern abstract meaning, carrying a critical connotation of exaggerated and often off-putting personal pride, distinct from mere confidence.
Analysis
- self: From Old English self, seolf, sylf, meaning "own, particular, same." It functions as a prefix indicating reference to oneself. - important: From Medieval Latin important-, importans, present participle of importare meaning "to be of consequence, signify." It functions as the adjective root meaning "of great significance or value."