pomp·ous \ˈpämpəs\adjective Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French pompeux, from Late Latin pomposus, from Latin pompa pomp + -osus -ous 1.: of, relating to, or suggestive of pomp : ornately showy and pretentiously dignified : overly magnificent < pompous Roman colonnades > 2.: self-important < a pompous policeman > 3.: too elevated and dignified for the subject matter < pompous language > : excessively ornate < pompous figures of speech >