pomposity

[ pom-pos-i-tee ]

noun

, plural pom·pos·i·ties

1. the quality of being pompous.
2. pompous parading of dignity or importance.
3. an instance of being pompous, as by ostentatious loftiness of language, manner, or behavior.

pomposity

/ pɒmˈpɒsɪtɪ /

noun

1. vain or ostentatious display of dignity or importance
2. the quality of being pompous
3. ostentatiously lofty style, language, etc
4. a pompous action, remark, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of pomposity¹

1400–50; late Middle English pomposite < Late Latin pompōsitās. See pompous, -ity

Example Sentences

Critics sometimes faulted his performances for pomposity.

From Los Angeles Times

His personality traits that alienate average Americans — his contempt, his pomposity, his unvarnished misogyny — are attractive in the upside-down world of MAGA.

From Salon

Don Wright, a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist whose pointed work punctured duplicity and pomposity and resonated with common-sense readers, died on March 24 at his home in Palm Beach, Fla. He was 90.

From New York Times

I love the Oscars, with all their pageantry and pomposity.

From New York Times

There's a remarkable lack of pomposity or formality on such trips when he goes out to meet the public.

From BBC

Related Words

• pretension