Definition

Noun: 1. The quality or state of being snooty; haughtiness, condescension, or an attitude of superiority. It refers to behavior that shows you believe you are better or more important than other people, often through aloofness, disdain, or pretentiousness.

Usage

"Snootiness" is an uncountable noun used to describe an abstract quality or characteristic of a person, group, or their behavior. It is often used in a critical or disapproving tone.

Examples

• The snootiness of the exclusive club's staff made many visitors feel unwelcome.
• Her snootiness was evident in the way she dismissed everyone else's opinions.
• I can't stand the snootiness of some art critics who look down on popular culture.

Advanced Usage

• "A certain snootiness": This phrase is often used to suggest a detectable but perhaps not overtly stated attitude of superiority.
  • There's a certain snootiness among some wine enthusiasts that can be intimidating to beginners.

Variants and Related Words

• Snooty (adjective): Having or showing the qualities of snootiness; haughty or condescending.
  • The waiter gave us a snooty look when we asked for the house wine.
• Snoot (noun, informal): A haughty or snobbish person.
  • He's such a snoot about classical music.

Synonyms

• Haughtiness: The appearance or quality of being arrogantly superior.
• Condescension: An attitude of patronizing superiority.
• Superciliousness: Behaving or looking as though one thinks one is superior to others.
• Pretentiousness: Attempting to impress by affecting greater importance or merit than is actually possessed.
• Snobbishness: The character or quality of a snob.

Antonyms

• Humility: A modest or low view of one's own importance.
• Modesty: The quality of being unassuming in the estimation of one's abilities.
• Down-to-earthness: The quality of being practical and realistic.

Noun

1. the quality of being snooty
   • he disliked his neighbors' snootiness