- Today's Word
Vainglorious
[veyn-GLOR-ee-us]
Definition
- (noun) Someone who is excessively proud of their own achievements, abilities, or appearance. It refers to a person who is boastful and overly confident, often in a way that is irritating or offensive to others.
Example
The vainglorious CEO couldn’t stop talking about his company’s success, attributing every accomplishment to his own brilliance while ignoring the hard work of his team.
Fun Fact
The word “vainglorious” combines “vain,” meaning excessively proud of one’s appearance or achievements, and “glorious,” meaning deserving great admiration or praise. It has been in use since the 15th century, originating from the Latin “vana gloria” meaning “empty glory.” In medieval Christian theology, vainglory was considered one of the seven deadly sins, specifically a form of pride. Today, it’s often used to describe people who have an inflated sense of their own importance or accomplishments.
(noun) Deep, persistent bitterness or resentment.
Years after their falling-out, a quiet rancor still lingered between them.
From Latin rancere, meaning “to stink” or “be rotten,” echoing the idea of bitterness that festers over time.