self-importantadj.
/ˌsɛlfᵻmˈpɔːtnt/, U.S. /ˌsɛlfəmˈpɔrtnt/ Characterized by or exhibiting self-importance; (of a person) having an exaggerated opinion of his or her own importance; conceited, vain.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pride > self-importance > [adjective]
buggish1536
puffya1594
important1726
self-important1732
consequential1758
self-consequent1834
gumptious1853
brussen1897
prima donna1897
prima donna-ish1926
over-inflated1934
1732 Scarborough Misc. 32 In thy free and open Mien, No Self-important Air is seen.
1793 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse (ed. 2) §281 Five of our best hands being grown self-important, demanded an increase of wages.
1842 H. E. Manning Serm. iii. 39 The imposing comments of self-important people.
1863 ‘G. Eliot’ Romola I. i. i. 18 The self-important gravity which had written itself out in the deep lines about his brow and mouth.
1936 V. Sackville-West St. Joan of Arc (1938) xiii. 240 A kindly, rather bustling busybody, as self-important as she was worthy.
1973 H. L. Nieburg Culture Storm xi. 222 Stuffy self-important forms of speech..prevailed.
2010 Independent 26 Nov. (Viewspaper section) 4/4 The trick of retaining one's dignity while not appearing to be preeningly self-important..is always difficult to manage.
Derivatives
self-imˈportantly adv.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pride > self-importance > [adverb]
cock-tail1600
importantly1734
consequentially1788
self-importantly1828
1828 J. Mendies Compan. Johnson's Dict. in Eng. & Bengalee II. 64/2 Proudly, self-importantly.
1897 Sat. Rev. 9 Oct. 388/2 The common human perversities of which..they are so self-importantly conscious.
1977 T. Heald Just Desserts vi. 134 A police sergeant who arrived self-importantly.
2001 C. Benard Turning on Girls 286 ‘I guess I can tell you,’ Gemma says, self-importantly.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, January 2018; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1732