Words / C2

ohv-uh-WEEN-ing/ˌəʊvəˈwiːnɪŋ/

Overweening means showing too much pride or self-confidence (literary / formal): overweening ambition, overweening pride. Arrogant (already in the dictionary) is everyday and wider; haughty (already in the dictionary) is looking down. Ostentatious (already in the dictionary) is showy display, not quite the same vice. Do not let overweening confidence in a ranking skip the fire door.

Meaning

Showing excessive pride or self-confidence (literary / formal).

Examples

• “Overweening confidence in the ranking is not a methods section.”
• “Arrogant is everyday (already in the dictionary). Haughty is superior (already in C2). Hubris is the tragic excess. Ostentatious is showy (already in C2). Confidence with a dated n is professionalism. A ranking used to skip the appendix is overweening. The table still has to add up.”

Good to know

Excessively proud or confident. Everyday: arrogant. Close: haughty (already in C2). Contrast: ostentatious (showy — already in C2). Rank ≠ a sample size.

Near in meaning

arrogant

New