Synonyms for prig

Grammar : Noun

Spell : prig

Phonetic Transcription : prɪg

Définition of prig

Origin : "precisian in speech or manners," 1753, originally in reference to theological scruples (1704), of unknown origin; earlier appearances of the same word meaning "dandy, fop" (1670s), "thief" (c.1600; in form prigger recorded from 1560s) could be related, as could thieves' cant prig "a tinker" (1560s).
A p[rig] is wise beyond his years in all the things that do not matter. A p. cracks nuts with a steam hammer: that is, calls in the first principles of morality to decide whether he may, or must, do something of as little importance as drinking a glass of beer. On the whole, one may, perhaps, say that all his different characteristics come from the combination, in varying proportions, of three things--the desire to do his duty, the belief that he knows better than other people, & blindness to the difference in value between different things. ["anonymous essay," quoted in Fowler, 1926]
Related: Priggery.

noun prude

Example sentences :

It shows you are not yet the prig you would have folks believe.
Extract from : « In the Midst of Alarms » by Robert Barr

I wish to God talking like this didn't make a fellow feel like a prig!
Extract from : « Changing Winds » by St. John G. Ervine

I hope I am not a prig, and, whatever I am or am not, priggishness had no part in my feelings then.
Extract from : « Kent Knowles: Quahaug » by Joseph C. Lincoln

How came so sweet a blossom to waste her perfumes on such a prig?
Extract from : « Scaramouche » by Rafael Sabatini

But a man who can feel horror at such a thing as this is a prig in religion.
Extract from : « Is He Popenjoy? » by Anthony Trollope

But then his wife is a prig too, and I do not see why they should not suit each other.
Extract from : « Kept in the Dark » by Anthony Trollope

There was not to be found among them what in England is known as a prig.
Extract from : « Memoirs » by Charles Godfrey Leland

Conscious superiority is the note of the prig; and we have the right to dread it.
Extract from : « Joyous Gard » by Arthur Christopher Benson

But the precocious Adams had only a little of the prig and nothing of the hypocrite in his nature.
Extract from : « John Quincy Adams » by John. T. Morse

Oh, I dare say they'd make a good team,—one's a prude and the other a prig.
Extract from : « Under Fire » by Charles King

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Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019