overly proud

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overly proud" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who has an excessive or exaggerated sense of pride about something. Example: "He was overly proud of his achievements, often boasting about them to anyone who would listen."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

My parents never pushed me, or were overly proud, though.

The New Yorker

Now Sony has shown itself not overly proud in adopting Nintendo approaches.

The New York Times - Arts

Sometimes overly proud of itself, at other times it is recklessly (and admirably) opinionated.

The New York Times - Food

"They were very proud of their names, almost overly proud," Mr. Sherrod said.

The New York Times - Science

Two families, living on top of each other, full of rage and overly proud of their small fiefs.

The New York Times - Arts

"I'm very pleased with my achievement, but I'm not going to be overly proud of it," Wu said.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Don't get overly emotional, proud, hurt or angry.

WikiHow

Proud, overly so, to be a close confidant of Terry's, Bridge always seemed happy to indulge the whims of a near neighbour with whom he shared a love of horse racing, greyhounds, computer games and boys' bonding holidays in Las Vegas.

The Guardian - Sport

It isn't just pride, as some suggest, that governs popular support for the nuclear programme (or any other technical accomplishment), although Iranians are proud – perhaps overly so – of their 5,000-year 5,000-yeard culture, and can be accused of faithistoryrsiandexcultureandsm in mucanthe same way the US has in its own.

The Guardian - Opinion

When I began running, the starting line felt like the proud province of overly serious weekend warriors like me stalking around with self-important intensity.

Huffington Post

In fact, Cook's performance seemed to be a rewind to his poser moments early on in the Top 12 when he seemed overly pleased with himself and generally proud as a peacock.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "overly proud", consider the context and ensure that the phrase accurately reflects the degree of pride being described. Avoid using it in situations where a moderate level of pride is appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "overly proud" when a positive connotation is intended. "Proud" alone can be a virtue, but "overly proud" almost always suggests a negative or undesirable trait. Be sure the negative connotation is what you intend to convey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overly proud" functions as a compound adjective, modifying a noun to describe someone exhibiting an excessive degree of pride. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and commonly used. It often implies a negative connotation, suggesting arrogance or conceit.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "overly proud" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that carries a generally negative connotation. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is usable in written English and serves to describe someone with an excessive or exaggerated sense of pride. It's important to consider the context when using this phrase to ensure that it accurately reflects the intended meaning. Alternatives such as "excessively proud" and "unduly proud" can provide subtle variations in meaning. While "proud" on its own can be positive, "overly proud" typically implies an undesirable level of self-satisfaction or arrogance. The phrase appears across various registers, with a higher frequency in News & Media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessively proud

Emphasizes the degree of pride as being beyond what is reasonable or acceptable.

unduly proud

Similar to "excessively proud", suggesting that the pride is not justified or deserved.

inordinately proud

Indicates pride that is excessive and uncontrolled, exceeding normal bounds.

exceedingly proud

Highlights the extreme level of pride, suggesting a very strong feeling of self-satisfaction.

too proud

A simpler way to express excessive pride, implying that the pride is a negative trait.

vain

Focuses on the inflated sense of self-importance and concern for one's own appearance or achievements.

arrogant

Emphasizes the feeling of superiority over others, often displayed in a haughty manner.

conceited

Highlights an excessively high opinion of oneself, often based on superficial qualities.

haughty

Suggests a disdainful attitude towards others, stemming from a belief in one's own superiority.

self-important

Focuses on an exaggerated sense of one's own significance or importance.

FAQs

How can I use "overly proud" in a sentence?

You can use "overly proud" to describe someone who has an excessive or exaggerated sense of pride about something. For example: "He was overly proud of his achievements, often boasting about them to anyone who would listen."

What are some alternatives to "overly proud"?

You can use alternatives like "excessively proud", "unduly proud", or "inordinately proud" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever appropriate to be "overly proud"?

Generally, being "overly proud" carries a negative connotation, suggesting an excessive or unjustified sense of self-importance. It's usually better to be simply "proud" or to express your pride in a humble way.

What's the difference between "overly proud" and "proud"?

"Proud" generally indicates a positive feeling of satisfaction with one's own or another's achievements. "Overly proud", on the other hand, suggests an excessive or arrogant level of pride that can be off-putting or even harmful.