pompous
adj.adj. behaving in a way that shows you think you are much more important or serious than you really are. It describes someone who uses long words or a grand style to impress others.
adj. characterised by an exaggerated display of self-importance, dignity, or seriousness. Often describes speech or behaviour that is overly formal or grand in an attempt to appear superior.
He gave a pompous speech about his own success.
The professor's pompous attitude made it difficult for students to ask simple questions without feeling judged.
The critic dismissed the novel as a pompous attempt at high literature, noting that its dense prose served only to mask a lack of original thought.
From Middle English pompous, from Old French pompeux, pompos, from Late Latin pomposus, from Latin pompa (“pomp”), from Ancient Greek πομπή (pompḗ, “a sending, a solemn procession, pomp”), from πέμπω (pémpō, “I send”), equivalent to pomp + -ous. Doublet of pomposo.
Typically used to describe people, their speech, or their writing style; often follows linking verbs like 'sound' or 'seem'.