Snobbish Meaning, Examples, and Usage Guide

Meaning 1：snobbish (snobbish)

snobbish 🔊

/ˈsnɒbɪʃ/

adj.

Acting like you're better than others, often because of your money, social status, or knowledge.

snobbish 🔊

➕

/ˈsnɒbɪʃ/

adj.

Marked by an attitude of superiority over others based on perceived social rank, wealth, or refinement; looking down on those considered inferior.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From snob (a shoemaker, later a person admiring wealth) + -ish; meaning having a superior attitude.

💡 Mnemonic

Snobbish: think of 'snob' + 'bish' like 'snobby' - someone who looks down on others.

📖 Example

At the art gallery opening, he only talked to the well-dressed investors and gave snobbish looks to anyone in casual clothes. 🔊 At the art gallery opening, he only talked to the well-dressed investors and gave snobbish looks to anyone in casual clothes.

🔗 Collocations

snobbish attitude – a condescending manner showing superiority

snobbish remarks – comments that belittle others based on status

snobbish person – an individual who behaves arrogantly toward perceived inferiors

🔄 Synonyms

arrogant (adj.) – Having an exaggerated sense of one's own importance or abilities.

haughty (adj.) – Arrogantly superior and disdainful toward others.

condescending (adj.) – Treating others as inferior; patronizing.

🚫 Antonyms

humble (adj.) – Having a modest opinion of one's own importance.

modest (adj.) – Unassuming in the estimation of one's abilities or achievements.

down-to-earth (adj.) – Practical and unpretentious; not snobbish.

🌱 Derivatives

snobbishly (adv.) – In a snobbish manner.

snobbishness (n.) – The quality of being snobbish.

snob (n.) – A person who admires and imitates those of higher social status.

📖 Cultural Story

The term 'snob' originated in 19th-century Cambridge University slang for non-aristocratic students, later evolving to mean someone who despises those of lower social status.