What does prided mean?
Prided is a past-tense and past-participle verb meaning to feel proud of an achievement, possession, quality, or connection. A person might say they prided themselves on their fluency in another language, while a writer might describe a community as priding itself on its artistic heritage. The usual construction is prided in or upon, or prided oneself on something, although prided of is also possible. The word can be approving when it describes pride in a genuinely valued achievement, but it often carries a faintly critical edge: to say someone prided themselves on something may suggest that they are too pleased with themselves or drawing attention to their own merits. In literary and formal contexts, prided can sound dignified and emphatic; in everyday conversation, it is less common than simpler alternatives such as was proud of or took pride in. Its interest lies in this contrast: the same word can celebrate accomplishment while subtly implying self-congratulation. Recognizing that nuance helps a reader interpret the speaker's attitude as well as the literal meaning.
verbPrided is the past tense and past participle of pride, meaning to feel proud of or take pride in something. It is commonly used with on, in, or upon before the thing in which pride is taken.
- To feel proud of something, take pride in it, or boast about it.
"The old scholar prided herself on knowing every manuscript in the collection."
"The town prided itself on its distinctive architecture."
"He had never prided himself on his academic achievements."
A compliment can become a gentle character note: prided can celebrate an achievement while quietly revealing the pride behind it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of prided
The form prided was formed in English by adding the regular suffix -ed to the Middle English verb pride. Pride passed into English from Old French pride, which came from Vulgar Latin *prida, a form of uncertain origin. Related English forms such as prideful, pridefully, and self-pride continue the same lexical family.
Related word forms
How prided is actually used
More literary and less common in everyday speech than expressions such as was proud of or took pride in. It often suggests self-satisfaction and may sound mildly critical, though context determines the tone.
Easily confused with prided
Pride is the base verb and the noun meaning a feeling of self-esteem, while prided is its inflected form in the past tense and past participle.
Pried is the past tense of pry and means to look or search carefully, whereas prided means to feel proud or take pride in something.