Fastuous

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ˈfæstju.əs/

Definitions

1. Exhibiting an inflated sense of self-importance and superiority often manifested through arrogance and ostentatious behavior or expression
2. Displaying a pretentious attitude characterized by boastfulness and an excessive need to show one's superiority while disregarding humility
3. Showing an overly proud and pompous manner that suggests a high opinion of oneself

Etymology: Latin "fastus" meant haughtiness or pride, and the adjective "fastuosus" was built from it by adding the suffix "-osus," meaning "full of." So "fastuous" is, quite literally, "full of pride." The Latin noun itself carried a sense of arrogance and self-regard, the kind of lofty display that looks down on others. The English adjective follows the same pattern, and it reached English by way of French, which also has "fastueux," and Spanish, with "fastuoso." Those parallel forms suggest the word spread through several European languages, each borrowing the Latin adjective and keeping its core meaning of ostentatious pride. Because the word is a direct borrowing with a transparent suffix, its history is simple: the pride lives in the Latin root, and the English form adds nothing beyond that original sense.

Synonyms: pretentious, ostentatious, showy, pompous

Antonyms: humble, modest, unassuming, simple