supercilious

Imagine someone looking down their nose at you, not literally, but with an attitude that says they are better than everyone else. That is supercilious. It describes a person who acts superior and shows open dislike or disrespect for people they see as less important, less intelligent, or of lower status. Think of a rich guest brushing off a server, or a know-it-all constantly correcting others in a cold, dismissive way. The word comes from a Latin word related to the eyebrow, linking it to the proud facial expression of someone who seems to look down on others. You will often meet this kind of character in stories: polished on the outside, but rude and full of scorn underneath.

To describe someone as supercilious is to say they display an attitude of arrogant superiority. It is more than just confidence; it is a haughty disdain for others, coupled with a belief in one's own importance and intelligence. A supercilious person does not simply think they are better; they act as if everyone else is inferior.

The word carries a negative connotation, suggesting someone who is condescending, patronizing, and often unpleasant to be around. It is not just about wealth or status; anyone can be supercilious, regardless of their background. A student might give a supercilious look to a classmate struggling with an assignment, or a seasoned professional might offer supercilious advice to a newcomer.

You will often see supercilious used in character descriptions in literature and film because it quickly establishes someone as unlikable or out of touch. For example, Charles Dickens frequently employed the term, or similar language, to describe snobbish characters.

While sometimes confused with "arrogant" or "conceited," supercilious specifically implies an air of looking down on others, a sense of intellectual or social superiority expressed through behavior and mannerisms. It is not just believing you are great; it is making sure everyone else knows you think they are not.