To be proud is to feel genuine satisfaction and joy because of a positive achievement or quality.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Feeling happy about your own success.
- Feeling happy about someone else's success.
- Having a high sense of self-respect.
Overview
'Proud' is a fundamental emotion that sits at the intersection of self-esteem and social connection. While primarily describing a positive feeling of accomplishment, it can also describe a sense of dignity or, in some contexts, an excessive belief in one's own superiority. 2) Usage Patterns: The word is most frequently used with the verb 'to be' (e.g., 'I am proud'). It is often followed by the preposition 'of' when referring to a specific object or person (e.g., 'proud of my brother'). It can also be followed by an infinitive verb phrase to denote the cause of the pride (e.g., 'I am proud to be here'). 3) Common Contexts: You will hear 'proud' in family settings, such as parents being proud of their children’s grades, or in professional settings, where someone might be proud of a completed project. It is also used to express national identity or personal integrity. 4) Similar Words Comparison: 'Proud' is often compared to 'arrogant' or 'vain'. While 'proud' generally carries a positive connotation of healthy self-worth, 'arrogant' suggests an unpleasant, exaggerated sense of superiority that looks down on others. 'Satisfied' is another related term, but 'proud' implies a deeper, more emotional connection to the result than mere satisfaction.
Examples
I am so proud of you.
everydayEstoy muy orgulloso de ti.
The company is proud to announce the new branch.
formalLa empresa se enorgullece de anunciar la nueva sucursal.
He felt proud after finishing the race.
informalÉl se sintió orgulloso después de terminar la carrera.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
proud parent
padre orgulloso
take pride in
enorgullecerse de
Often Confused With
Arrogant implies a negative, exaggerated sense of self-importance. Proud is usually positive, while arrogant is always negative.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
Proud is a versatile adjective used in both formal and informal registers. It is highly common in social interactions to express support. Be careful not to overuse it in professional settings if it sounds like you are bragging.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is omitting the preposition 'of' when referring to a noun. Another error is using the noun 'pride' instead of the adjective 'proud'. Always check if you are describing a person (adjective) or the feeling itself (noun).
Tips
Use 'of' after proud
Always remember to use the preposition 'of' when connecting the adjective to the person or thing you are proud of. For example, say 'I am proud of you' rather than 'I am proud you'.
Avoid confusing with arrogance
While being proud is usually good, ensure your tone does not sound boastful. Context matters when expressing pride to others.
Pride in different cultures
In some cultures, expressing pride is seen as humble, while in others, it might be viewed as bragging. Be mindful of your audience when sharing achievements.
Word Origin
The word comes from the Old French 'prud', meaning brave or valiant. It eventually evolved in Middle English to describe a sense of high self-esteem.
Cultural Context
In many Western cultures, being proud is encouraged as a sign of healthy confidence. In some Eastern cultures, modesty is preferred, and outward expressions of pride are sometimes tempered.
Memory Tip
Think of a peacock showing its feathers; it is 'proud' of its beauty. Use this image to remember the feeling of showing off a positive achievement.
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questionsGenerally, proud is used for positive achievements. However, in some contexts, people use it ironically or to describe a stubborn sense of dignity.
Yes, 'proudly' is the adverb form of proud. It describes doing something in a way that shows pride, such as 'he stood proudly before the crowd'.
Pride is the noun, representing the feeling itself. Proud is the adjective, used to describe a person or their state of mind.
Test Yourself
I am very ___ of my daughter's graduation.
We need the adjective 'proud' to describe the subject 'I'.
Score: /1
Summary
To be proud is to feel genuine satisfaction and joy because of a positive achievement or quality.
- Feeling happy about your own success.
- Feeling happy about someone else's success.
- Having a high sense of self-respect.
Use 'of' after proud
Always remember to use the preposition 'of' when connecting the adjective to the person or thing you are proud of. For example, say 'I am proud of you' rather than 'I am proud you'.
Avoid confusing with arrogance
While being proud is usually good, ensure your tone does not sound boastful. Context matters when expressing pride to others.
Pride in different cultures
In some cultures, expressing pride is seen as humble, while in others, it might be viewed as bragging. Be mindful of your audience when sharing achievements.
Examples
3 of 3I am so proud of you.
Estoy muy orgulloso de ti.
The company is proud to announce the new branch.
La empresa se enorgullece de anunciar la nueva sucursal.
He felt proud after finishing the race.
Él se sintió orgulloso después de terminar la carrera.
Quick Quiz
She worked very hard on her project and now she feels ______ of herself.
Correct!
The correct answer is: proud
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This Word in Other Languages
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
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abvidness
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adacrty
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