prig
/prig/
Definition
Noun: A person who is excessively concerned with propriety, correctness, or morality in a self-righteous, smug, or annoying way. A prig is often regarded as arrogant, narrow-minded, and overly critical of others who do not meet their strict standards.
Usage
The word "prig" is a noun used to describe a person's character. It is a critical and often derogatory term. It implies that the person's adherence to rules or morals is not sincere but is instead used to feel superior to others.
Examples
- He was such a prig that he scolded his colleagues for using informal language in an internal email.
- Don't be a prig about it; everyone makes mistakes sometimes.
- She dismissed the critic as a moralistic prig who couldn't appreciate the artist's vision.
Advanced Usage
- The term can be used in a more historical or literary context to describe a person who is a stickler for etiquette or formal manners in a way that seems ridiculous.
- The Victorian gentleman was portrayed as a comical prig, obsessed with the minutiae of social decorum.
Variants and Related Words
- Priggish (adjective): Having the qualities of a prig; self-righteously moralistic or smug.
- His priggish attitude made him very unpopular at the party.
- Priggery or Priggism (noun, less common): The behavior or character of a prig.
Synonyms
- Pedant: A person who is excessively concerned with minor details and rules, especially in teaching.
- Stickler: A person who insists on a certain quality or type of behavior.
- Goody-goody (informal): A person who is smugly or obtrusively virtuous.
- Prude: A person who is excessively concerned with propriety or modesty, especially in sexual matters.
Antonyms
- Libertine: A person who behaves without moral principles or a sense of responsibility, especially in sexual matters.
- Bohemian: A person who has informal and unconventional social habits.
Idioms and Phrases
- To play the prig: To act in a priggish manner.
- He's always playing the prig when it comes to office punctuality, even though he's often late himself.
Noun
-
a person regarded as arrogant and annoying
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