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Make Your Point > Archived Issues > POMP, POMPOUS, & POMPOSITY

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pronounce these words:

Say "pomp" like this: POMP. Hear it.

Say "pompous" like this: POMP us. Hear it.

Say "pomposity" like this: pom POSS uh tee. Hear it.

connect these words to others:

Pompous people—those who act with pomp, or pomposity—are self-important, calling grand attention to themselves as if they're strutting through the street in a parade.

See if you can recall a synonym of pompous. Os___tatious people are showy and boastful, as if putting themselves on a grand display.

(To reveal any word with blanks, give it a click.) 

definitions:

We can trace the words "pomp," "pompous," and "pomposity" back to a Greek word meaning "to send out, as part of a serious procession." 

(Source)

Pomp is formal, showy ceremoniousness. To do things with pomp is to do them with a grand self-importance, as if you're marching in a parade or announcing a winner at a grand competition.

And when people are being pompous, or acting with pomposity, they're acting arrogant and self-important, often showing off their knowledge. 

grammatical bits:

Parts of speech:

"Pomp" and "pomposity" are nouns: "Let's do this without any pomp;" "She spoke with the pomposity of a queen."

"Pompous" is an adjective: "The ceremony was pompous;" "She gave a pompous speech."

Other forms: 

The adverb is "pompously:" "She spoke pompously, like a queen."

how to use them:

Pick these common, insulting words when you want to point out how silly and self-important people are being. They help you imply that people are acting like they're conducting an important ceremony, or marching in a parade.

You could talk about pompous people and their pompous speech or behaviors. Or, talk about people acting or speaking with pomp or pomposity.

Notice the difference between pomp and pomposity: "pomp" is more about acting like you're in charge of some grand important procedure, and "pomposity" is more about acting like you're smarter and better than everyone else.

examples:

"Britain rolled out the red carpet for U.S. President Donald Trump and his wife on Monday, laying on the pomp and pageantry of a full state visit, including a lavish banquet with Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace."
— Staff, Reuters, 4 June 2019

"'Well, we do look to our prefects to take a lead at times such as these,' said George in a good imitation of Percy's most pompous manner."
— J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, 2007

"'I want to play chess!' he'd demand, with all the pomposity of a crown prince talking to a servant."
— Frank Brady, Endgame, 2011

has this page helped you understand "pomp," "pompous," & "pomposity"?

   

Awesome, I'm glad it helped!

Thanks for letting me know!
If you have any questions about these words, please message me at Liesl@HiloTutor.com.


study them:

Explain the meanings of "pomp," "pompous," and "pomposity" without saying "flashy" or "ceremonious."

try one out:

We often talk about people running certain events with "pomp and ceremony," or with "pomp and circumstance," meaning they include a lot of fussy, formal, fancy activities or ceremonies.

Events like weddings, graduations, and awards ceremonies tend to have pomp and circumstance, with lots of rituals, traditions, announcements, and applause.

Talk about an event you attended that was full of pomp and circumstance. Do you think all that pomp made the event feel special... or was it a bit much?




before you review, play:

Try to spend 20 seconds or more on the game below. Don’t skip straight to the review—first, let your working memory empty out.

Our game this month is "That’s What They Said."

Consider a quote from The Office, and decide which of three given terms you can most easily connect it to. You can see my suggested answer by scrolling to the bottom of the issue. But yours doesn’t need to match mine. 

For example, if I give you this:

Kelly: "I talk a lot, so I've learned to just tune myself out." Abstemious, garrulous, or ominous?

Then you might answer, "Garrulous, because Kelly talks on and on."

Try this one today:

Michael: "Sometimes I'll start a sentence and I don't even know where it's going. I just hope I find it along the way. Like an improv conversation." Splinter, meander, or beleaguer?

review:

1. The opposite of POMPOUS could be

A. FLAT.
B. SWEET.
C. HUMBLE.

2. In Sapiens, Yuval Noah Harari explained that "human populations evolved in different directions," resulting in "several distinct species, to each of which scientists have assigned a pompous" name. Those pompous names are _____.

A. Species X, Y, and Z
B. Rudolf, Rexie, and Andy
C. Homo rudolfensis, Homo erectus, and Homo neanderthalensis




Answers to the review questions:
1. C
2. C

Suggested answer to the game question:

I'd go with meander, because Michael's comments turn this way and that, headed in no particular direction.


a final word:

I hope you're enjoying Make Your Point. It's made with love. I'm Liesl Johnson, a reading and writing tutor on a mission to explore, illuminate, and celebrate words.

From my blog:
On vocabulary...
      36 ways to study words.
      Why we forget words, & how to remember them.
      How to use sophisticated words without being awkward.
On writing...
      How to improve any sentence.
      How to motivate our kids to write.
      How to stop procrastinating and start writing.
      How to bulk up your writing when you have to meet a word count.

From my heart: a profound thanks to the generous patrons, donors, and sponsors that make it possible for me to write these emails. If you'd like to be a patron or a donor, please click here. If you'd like to be a sponsor and include your ad in an issue, please contact me at Liesl@HiloTutor.com.

A disclaimer: When I write definitions, I use plain language and stick to the words' common, useful applications. If you're interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words, I encourage you to check a dictionary. Also, because I'm American, I stick to American English when I share words' meanings, usage, and pronunciations; these elements sometimes vary across world Englishes.

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