pomp
gb/pˈɑmp/ us/pˈɑmp/
C1
English
~ 6700
pompa, üres külsőség
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
1
pompa
B2
Usage pattern:
the pomp of [event]
The king’s coronation was held with great pomp in the historic cathedral.
A király koronázását nagy pompával tartották meg a történelmi székesegyházban.
Graduation day is full of pomp, with academic robes, music, and formal speeches.
A diplomaosztó napját nagy pompa kíséri: talárok, zene és ünnepélyes beszédek.
The opening of the new parliament building was marked by all the usual pomp of a state occasion.
Tourists gathered to watch the military parade and enjoy the pomp of the national holiday.
Despite the pomp of the ceremony, the actual signing of the agreement took only a few minutes.
Learner examples
The royal wedding was full of pomp.
A királyi esküvő nagy pompával zajlott.
They opened the new bridge with great pomp and music.
Az új hidat nagy pompával és zeneszóval adták át.
We watched the pomp of the military parade on TV.
The president’s visit was done with much pomp.
There was a lot of pomp at the graduation ceremony.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think 'pomp' is a verb and say *'They pomp the event.' In modern English, 'pomp' is almost always a noun and is often used in the fixed phrase 'pomp and ceremony.' Also, it is rarely used in everyday casual conversation and sounds quite formal.
Meaning
formal and impressive ceremony
Collocations
pomp and ceremony
|royal pomp
|state pomp
|with great pomp
|all the pomp
Synonyms
pageantry (Highlights the colorful, theatrical side of formal public display, especially with costumes and ceremony.)
Antonyms
simplicity (Emphasizes a lack of elaborate display or ceremony.)
Themes
society
|culture
|politics
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A big, formal show at an event, with special clothes, music, and traditions.
Splendid, formal display, especially at public or official ceremonies, with elaborate dress, music, and traditional rituals.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
2
pompa
B2
Usage pattern:
[something] is all pomp and no substance
Critics dismissed the ceremony as empty pomp designed to impress television audiences.
A kritikusok a ceremóniát üres pompának minősítették, amelyet csak azért rendeztek, hogy lenyűgözze a tévénézőket.
The event felt like sheer pomp and no real commitment to change.
Az esemény puszta pompának tűnt, és nem látszott mögötte valódi elkötelezettség a változás mellett.
He enjoys the pomp of official dinners but avoids doing the hard work behind the scenes.
To many citizens, the parade was just hollow pomp at a time of economic crisis.
The conference was all pomp and no substance, with glossy staging but very little serious discussion.
Learner examples
Many people saw the big show as empty pomp.
Sokan ezt a nagy felhajtást csak üres külsőségnek tartották.
The meeting was all pomp and no real work.
A megbeszélés csupa külsőség volt, valódi munka nélkül.
Some think the long ceremony is just pomp.
For her, these events are needless pomp.
The party was full of pomp but felt false.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize that 'pomp' can have a negative tone, suggesting something is too showy or not sincere. When you want a positive meaning of grand ceremony, use it with a neutral context (e.g., 'royal pomp'); when you want to criticize, combine it with words like 'empty', 'hollow', or phrases like 'all pomp and no substance.'
Meaning
showy or self-important display
Collocations
empty pomp
|hollow pomp
|needless pomp
|sheer pomp
|pomp and circumstance
Synonyms
ostentation (More strongly suggests showing off wealth or status on purpose; often used negatively in similar critical contexts.)
Antonyms
modesty (Stresses avoiding showy display of wealth or importance.)
Themes
society
|attitudes
|culture
|emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A big, fancy show that looks important but seems too much or not very real.
Showy, grand display of wealth, importance, or ceremony that seems excessive, empty, or mainly for appearance.
Grammar
Dictionary form
pomp
IPA
GB/pˈɑmp/
US/pˈɑmp/
Syllables & stress
pomp (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (pomp)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: pomp
- Plural: pomp
Word family
Core family
pompous
adjective B2
pompously
adverb
Related words
pomposity
noun
Expressions
pomp and ceremony
1/pˈɑmp ˈænd sˈɛɹɪmˌoʊni/
idiom
formal
formal ceremony with display
Formal public events that have a lot of traditional actions, special clothes, and show.
Examples
- The new ambassador was welcomed with all the usual pomp and ceremony.
- They prefer simple weddings without a lot of pomp and ceremony.
- The city loves the pomp and ceremony of the annual parade.
pomp and circumstance
1/pˈɑmp ˈænd sˈɚkəmstˌæns/
idiom
formal
formal, often excessive ceremony
Formal ceremony and show, often seen as too much or not really needed.
Examples
- The new law was signed with a lot of pomp and circumstance, but little real change followed.
- Some students enjoy the pomp and circumstance of graduation, while others find it embarrassing.
- The speech was surrounded by so much pomp and circumstance that the main message was lost.