Snobby

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ˈsnɑbi/

Definitions

1. Demonstrating a condescending attitude rooted in the belief that one's social class or wealth is superior to that of others
2. Displaying a superior attitude often associated with a belief in one's elevated social status or wealth compared to others
3. Exhibiting a disdainful demeanor that suggests feelings of superiority based on one's social class or financial standing over others

Etymology: Snobby is a plain formation: the adjective "snob" with the suffix "-y" attached, meaning having the qualities of a snob. The noun is the older word, and its own story is the more striking one. It is a term that passed through several stages of English before settling into its current sense of an airs-putting social climber. The noun "snob" has an origin that the suffix does not explain. It traces back through Middle English and the Old English suffix "-ig" (here written "-iġ") to the Proto-Germanic and Proto-Indo-European roots that gave English many of its everyday sounds, but the modern pathway runs through the English language itself rather than through any classical source. Once "snob" had settled into English, the adjective "snobby" was formed on it by adding "-y," a common English ending that turns nouns into descriptive adjectives, as in "dirty" or "handy."

Synonyms: elitist, arrogant, haughty

Antonyms: humble, modest