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self-important

[ self-im-pawr-tnt, self- ]

/ ˈsɛlf ɪmˈpɔr tnt, ˌsɛlf- /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR self-important ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

having or showing an exaggerated opinion of one's own importance; pompously conceited or haughty.

Origin of self-important

First recorded in 1765–75

OTHER WORDS FROM self-important

self-im·por·tance, noun self-im·por·tant·ly, adverb

Words nearby self-important

self-identity, self-ignite, self-image, self-immolating, self-immolation, self-important, self-imposed, self-improvement, self-inclusive, self-incompatible, self-incriminating

Example sentences from the Web for self-important

Had he ever done something like in Newtown, every self-important shrink on TV would have claimed they'd have seen it coming.

Living With Mental Illness |David Frum |December 19, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
It was small and self-important rather than big and magnanimous.

Hall Monitor Mitt’s Missed Chance |John Avlon |October 17, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
They get bloated, self-important, and impossible to deal with.

Why I Pity Boehner |Michelle Cottle |April 8, 2011 |DAILY BEAST
Real Spike will never sound that self-important, no matter how artistic he gets.

Spike Jonze’s Wild World |Caryn James |October 6, 2009 |DAILY BEAST

A pedantic and self-important “paper architect,” Polyp goes into crisis when his marriage dissolves.

Summer of Our White Male Discontent |Taylor Antrim |August 4, 2009 |DAILY BEAST
He was old, fussy, and self-important, and withal no friend to me.

Helmet of Navarre |Bertha Runkle
He is very different now from the thoughtless, self-important boy who looked at everything from his own point of view.

The Princess of the School |Angela Brazil
I lose my appetite at the sight of successful knavery, and sicken to loathing at the noise and nonsense of self-important folly.

The Letters of Robert Burns |Robert Burns
The diarist is a self-important person, talking to himself and to the future, and conscious of his effect upon both.

The Joys of Being a Woman |Winifred Kirkland
"I reckon they'll do considerable more huntin' before they find him up there," chuckled the man, with a self-important manner.

The Great K. & A. Robbery |Paul Liechester Ford

British Dictionary definitions for self-important

self-important

adjective

having or showing an unduly high opinion of one's own abilities, importance, etc

Derived forms of self-important

self-importantly, adverb self-importance, noun