What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
haughty
Example
She had a haughty expression on her face when she walked into the room. [haughty: adjective]
Example
He spoke in a haughty tone, making it clear that he thought he was better than everyone else. [haughty: adjective]
supercilious
Example
His supercilious attitude made it clear that he thought he was better than everyone else. [supercilious: adjective]
Example
She gave me a supercilious look when I asked her a question. [supercilious: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Haughty is more common than supercilious in everyday language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between haughty and supercilious?
Supercilious is more formal and less commonly used than haughty. Both words are associated with a negative connotation and should be used with caution in formal settings.
