air of pride

USAGE SUMMARY

'air of pride' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe someone's attitude that conveys a sense of superiority. For example: The mayor had an air of pride when he addressed the crowd at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

She catalogs her wounds with an air of pride and defiance.

The New York Times

In the afternoon, when Mr. Mitchell and the other key participants in the relief fund gathered, there was an air of pride.

The New York Times

"My diagnosis had been discussed in almost every major medical journal," she tells us with an air of pride and exhausted wonder, "including the New England Journal of Medicine, and The New York Times".

The New York Times - Books

With an air of pride for the country, Mrs. Mamtani says, "By the time I was fifteen, I had been to jail twice".The months of 1947 that saw British India's freedom and consequent division of the land were met with hardly any disturbances in Kandyara.

Stanford University

I have seen children, with an air of pride, declare that they cannot speak Chichewa.

Huffington Post

He does not say much, but exudes an air of pride when asked about his son's enterprise.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

As the slow-thinking Aston, MacLachlan has a poignantly shy smile and air of fractured pride.

The New York Times

Somewhere in the course of the morning, they had pushed forward a measure that Ryan, with an air of wounded pride, described as an example of House Republicans doing their part to fight the Zika virus, although, as the Times noted, it assigns less money to the disease than the Obama Administration asked for, and somehow also manages to reduce support for Planned Parenthood.

The New Yorker

"Some of our guys have had to finance this trip themselves and put other jobs on hold and you can see what it means to them to play for their country," he said after the game, with a shell-shocked air of unexpected pride.

BBC

The air is full of pride and sorrow.

The New York Times

Not everything works, but the museum charts even the company's failures with an air of pragmatism and pride.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "air of pride" to subtly indicate someone's feeling of accomplishment or superiority without explicitly stating it. This can add nuance to character descriptions or narratives.

Common error

Avoid using "air of pride" excessively when describing negative traits. While pride can be a component of arrogance, ensure the phrasing aligns with the intended meaning. If you mean arrogance, use a more direct term.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "air of pride" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object of a preposition. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It describes a discernible quality or manner.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "air of pride" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, as affirmed by Ludwig AI, indicating a demeanor or attitude characterized by self-satisfaction or perceived superiority. While not exceedingly common, it finds usage across diverse contexts like news, academia, and general writing. It’s crucial to wield this phrase judiciously, steering clear of overuse, especially when describing unfavorable traits, as it risks diluting the intended meaning. Understanding nuances and intent are key to impactful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sense of self-importance

Shifts the focus to an internal feeling rather than an external display.

aura of superiority

Emphasizes a perceived higher status or rank.

attitude of triumph

Suggests a victory or success has led to the feeling.

feeling of accomplishment

Focuses on the satisfaction derived from completing a task.

self-satisfied demeanor

Highlights the outward behavior resulting from inner satisfaction.

smugness

Implies excessive satisfaction with oneself or one's achievements.

self-assurance

Focuses on confidence in one's own abilities or qualities.

swagger

Indicates a confident and often flamboyant manner of walking or behaving.

lofty attitude

Highlights a sense of superiority and detachment from ordinary concerns.

haughty manner

Conveys arrogance and disdain for others.

FAQs

How can I use "air of pride" in a sentence?

You can use "air of pride" to describe someone's demeanor or attitude that suggests they feel superior or very satisfied with themselves. For example, "She carried herself with an air of pride after winning the award".

What are some alternatives to "air of pride"?

Alternatives include "sense of self-importance", "aura of superiority", or "smugness" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "air of pride" a positive or negative expression?

It can be either, depending on the context. While pride in itself isn't always negative, "air of pride" often suggests a slightly negative connotation of arrogance or excessive self-satisfaction. It is less intense than an "air of arrogance".

What's the difference between "air of pride" and "sense of pride"?

"Air of pride" refers to an outward display or impression of pride, while "sense of pride" refers to an internal feeling. You might have a sense of pride without showing an air of it, and vice versa.