Pronunciation: [hˈɔːti] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "haughty" /ˈhɔːti/ might seem confusing at first glance. The "gh" in the middle of the word can be misleading, as it is not pronounced as a hard "g". Instead, the "gh" creates a silent consonant cluster, allowing the "au" to be pronounced as a diphthong, similar to the "o" in "hot". The stress falls on the first syllable, with a long "o" sound. So, "haughty" is spelled "h-a-u-g-h-t-y" but pronounced /ˈhɔːti/.
The term "haughty" is an adjective that describes someone displaying an attitude of superiority, arrogance, or an excessively high opinion of oneself. It pertains to an individual who carries themselves with an air of disdain or condescension towards others. Individuals who exhibit haughty behavior often believe they are superior in intellect, wealth, social status, or any other aspect, leading them to look down on others with contempt. Their demeanor reflects a sense of entitlement that tends to alienate and distance those around them.
The haughty individual tends to exhibit certain characteristic behaviors that underline their attitude of superiority. They may frequently dismiss the thoughts or opinions of others and impede open dialogue due to their own inflated sense of importance. Their speech and actions can often come across as patronizing or snobbish, belittling those they deem inferior. Furthermore, their body language often reflects a prideful and standoffish demeanor, perhaps manifesting through raised chins, disdainful glances, or an overall air of indifference.
Synonyms for haughty include arrogant, proud, condescending, contemptuous, snobbish, and disdainful. Antonyms, on the other hand, include humble, modest, unassuming, down-to-earth, and approachable. Recognizing haughty behavior is crucial not only in understanding the dynamics between individuals and groups but also in fostering a more inclusive and empathetic society.
Proud and disdainful; arrogant.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "haughty" originated from the Middle English term "haut" which came from the Old French word "haut" (pronounced as "hō"), meaning "high" or "lofty". It is derived from the Latin word "altus", which also means "high". Over time, the term evolved into "haughty" in English and came to denote a sense of arrogance or superiority, often associated with a lofty or disdainful attitude towards others.
