- Characterized by excessive self-esteem or exaggerated dignity; pretentious: pompous officials who enjoy giving orders.
- Full of high-sounding phrases; bombastic: a pompous proclamation.
- Chracterized by pomp or stately display; ceremonious: a pompous occasion.
[Middle English, from Old French pompeux, from Late Latin pompōsus, from Latin pompa, pomp. See pomp.]
pomposity pom·pos'i·ty (-pŏs'ĭ-tē) or pom'pous·ness (-pəs-nĭs) n.pompously pom'pous·ly adv.





