# hubris

/ˈhjubɹəs/ (US) · /hˈuːbɹɪs/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hubris
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

extreme pride or confidence in your own abilities, often to the point of being foolish. It is the feeling that you are so great that nothing can stop you.

For teachers: excessive pride or self-confidence, often leading to the downfall of a person or organization. Frequently used in literary or historical contexts to describe a fatal flaw.

## Examples

- The company's hubris led to its eventual failure.
- The CEO's hubris caused him to ignore all the warnings about the unstable market.
- In Greek tragedy, hubris is the fatal flaw that allows the protagonist to believe they are immune to the natural order, ultimately leading to their inevitable and often dramatic demise.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.