pride
pride
Pronunciation
The word pride is a versatile term in English, carrying both positive connotations of self-respect and negative connotations of arrogance, as well as specific collective meanings in biology and social movements.
IPA Phonetic Spelling
The IPA transcription for pride is: /praɪd/
Syllable Breakdown
Since "pride" is a monosyllabic word (one syllable), the sounds are broken down as follows:
/p/: A voiceless bilabial stop (the initial "p" sound).
/r/: An alveolar approximant (the liquid "r" sound).
/aɪ/: A diphthong, moving from an "ah" sound to an "ee" sound (the long "i").
/d/: A voiced alveolar stop (the concluding "d" sound).
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: pride
Plural Noun: prides (specifically used when referring to multiple groups of lions or multiple instances of the feeling)
Base Verb: pride (usually reflexive: "to pride oneself")
Present Participle/Gerund: priding
Past Tense/Past Participle: prided
Third-Person Singular Verb: prides
Adjective Form: proud
Adverb Form: proudly
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A sense of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements or the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated.
Synonyms: Gratification, fulfillment, self-satisfaction.
Antonyms: Shame, modesty, humbleness.
A high or inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, or superiority.
Synonyms: Arrogance, hubris, vanity, conceit.
Antonyms: Humility, meekness.
A collective group of lions forming a social unit.
Synonyms: Pack, colony, group.
Antonyms: Solitary (contextual).
Confidence and self-respect as expressed by members of a group, particularly those who have been marginalized (e.g., LGBTQ+ Pride).
Synonyms: Dignity, self-worth, visibility.
Antonyms: Stigma, oppression.
Verb
To derive pride or satisfaction for oneself regarding a specific quality or action (used with a reflexive pronoun and "on").
Synonyms: To plume oneself, to congratulate oneself, to boast.
Antonyms: To disparage, to humble (oneself), to regret.
Examples of Use
Here are several real-world examples demonstrating the diverse applications of the word pride across literature, media, and public life.
Literature and Classic Works
"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife." While this famous opening doesn't name the word, the title of the novel, Pride and Prejudice, establishes the term as a central theme regarding the ego and social standing of the protagonist, Mr. Darcy (Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice).
"Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." This frequently cited proverb uses the term to describe the spiritual and moral danger of overconfidence (The King James Bible, Proverbs 16:18).
Journalism and News Media
"The return of the players was met with a swell of national pride that transcended the results on the scoreboard." This usage highlights the collective emotional connection between a citizenry and its representatives (The New York Times, July 2024).
"Organizers estimated that record-breaking crowds gathered for the annual Pride march, marking a decade of increased visibility for the community." Here, the word identifies a specific civil rights movement and celebration (The Guardian, June 2025).
Entertainment and Digital Platforms
"Everything the light touches is our kingdom... A king's time as ruler rises and falls like the sun." This dialogue takes place at "Pride Rock," a location named to signify the home and throne of the lion community (The Lion King, Walt Disney Pictures).
"I take a lot of pride in the craftsmanship of these pieces; every joint is hand-cut and sanded to a mirror finish." A common sentiment found in the "Maker" community on platforms like YouTube, where creators discuss their intrinsic motivation and standard of work.
General Public Discourse
"We take great pride in our customer service and aim to resolve every issue within twenty-four hours." This is a standard corporate mission statement found on various "About Us" pages for service-oriented businesses.
"You should have more pride in yourself than to let them treat you that way." A common idiom used in interpersonal advice, where "pride" is synonymous with self-respect and the establishment of personal boundaries.
Biology and Science
"Unlike other feline species that are primarily solitary, lions are highly social, living in a complex pride structure dominated by a group of related females." This scientific usage describes the specific social organization of Panthera leo (National Geographic).
10 Quotes Using Pride
"Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously." (Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice)
"It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels." (Saint Augustine)
"He that is proud eats up himself: pride is his own glass, his own trumpet, his own chronicle." (William Shakespeare, Troilus and Cressida)
"The only crime is pride." (Sophocles, Antigone)
"Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need." (Khalil Gibran, Sand and Foam)
"Pride must die in you, or nothing of heaven can live in you." (Andrew Murray, Humility)
"Pride is the mother of arrogance." (Toba Beta, My Ancestor Was an Ancient Astronaut)
"No pride for some of us without liberation for all of us." (Marsha P. Johnson)
"No one has a greater asset for his business than a man's pride in his work." (Hosea Ballou)
"Through pride we are ever deceiving ourselves." (Carl Jung)
Etymology
The word pride has a fascinating history, evolving from a term that was almost entirely negative into one that can represent a positive virtue.
Linguistic Roots
The word trace its lineage back to the Old French word prud (an adjective meaning "valiant" or "brave") and the feminine noun proide. Going back even further, it likely stems from the Late Latin word prode, which meant "advantageous" or "beneficial." This Latin root is also the ancestor of the word "proud."
First Known Use and Meaning
The word first appeared in Old English as pryde (or prydo) around the late 10th century or early 11th century.
At that time, its meaning was much narrower and far more critical than it is today:
Initial Meaning: It was used almost exclusively to describe the "deadly sin" of spiritual arrogance or an unreasonable conceit.
Cultural Context: In a strictly religious society, "pride" was seen as the root of all other sins because it involved putting oneself above God or the community.
Evolution of Meaning
It wasn’t until the 13th and 14th centuries that the word began to soften. People started using it to describe a legitimate "feeling of satisfaction" or "self-respect." By the time the 17th century arrived, the term was also being used in biology to describe a "company of lions," likely a poetic reference to the animals' majestic and "proud" appearance.
In the 20th century, the meaning expanded further to encompass political and social identity, transforming from a word about individual ego into a word about collective dignity and the refusal to be shamed.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Pride
Here is a list of phrases and idioms featuring the word pride, along with common expressions that use its synonyms to convey similar meanings.
Common Idioms and Phrases
Pride of place: To have the most important or prominent position in a group or display.
Swallow one’s pride: To humble oneself and accept something humiliating or to admit one is wrong.
Pride goes before a fall: A warning that overconfidence or arrogance often leads to an eventual mistake or failure.
Bursting with pride: To feel an immense, almost overwhelming sense of satisfaction or joy in an achievement.
The pride and joy: A person or thing that causes someone to feel great pride and happiness (e.g., "His vintage car is his pride and joy").
Take pride in: To devote great care and attention to something because of a sense of personal responsibility or self-respect.
Wounded pride: The feeling of being insulted or humiliated, especially when one's ego is bruised.
Phrases Using Synonyms for Similar Effect
On one's high horse: To act in an arrogant or superior manner (similar to "false pride").
Full of oneself: To be conceited or possessed by an inflated sense of self-importance.
Stand tall: To maintain one's dignity and self-respect in a difficult situation (similar to "taking pride").
To plume oneself: To feel or show great satisfaction in one's own qualities or luck.
Puff out one's chest: A physical gesture indicating a surge of confidence or a display of superiority.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of pride from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
