Snob vs. Pretentious — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 6, 2024
A snob discriminates based on perceived superiority in taste or status, whereas someone pretentious displays exaggerated importance or talent to impress.
Difference Between Snob and Pretentious
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A snob often exhibits an attitude of superiority, focusing on social class, cultural knowledge, or taste in specific areas, such as fashion or music. On the other hand, a pretentious person may not necessarily claim superiority based on class or taste but exaggerates or feigns their abilities, achievements, or qualities to seem more impressive than they are.
Snobs typically judge others based on their adherence to certain high standards or criteria they deem important, such as a particular social circle or brand preferences. Whereas pretentious individuals might adopt certain airs, styles, or manners that they believe will elevate their social standing or intellectual reputation, regardless of their true background or knowledge.
The behavior of a snob can often alienate others who do not meet their stringent criteria or who are perceived as belonging to a lower status. In contrast, pretentious behavior can be off-putting because it comes across as inauthentic or exaggerated, trying too hard to fit into a certain image or ideal.
Snobs are usually concerned with maintaining a distinction from what they consider 'lower' or 'lesser' cultural groups or social strata. On the other hand, pretentious people are more focused on promoting themselves, often overemphasizing their own importance or sophistication to gain recognition or admiration.
While a snob might genuinely possess the knowledge or background they pride themselves on, pretentious individuals might lack the substance behind their claims, relying more on outward appearances or shallow displays of what they consider high status or intellect.
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Comparison Chart
Focus
Social status and cultural taste
Self-promotion and image
Perception
Exclusive, elitist
Inauthentic, exaggerated
Typical Behavior
Discrimination based on class or taste
Feigning abilities or sophistication
Social Interaction
Alienating those deemed lower status
Seeking admiration or recognition
Authenticity
Often backed by genuine knowledge
Lacks depth behind claims
Compare with Definitions
Snob
A person who looks down on others who do not meet their standards.
The wine snob refused to try anything that wasn't from a renowned vineyard.
Pretentious
Adopting habits or styles to feign higher status or sophistication.
He bought expensive gadgets purely for their pretentious value.
Snob
A person who believes in their superiority in taste or intellect.
She was labeled a snob after dismissing popular music genres as unworthy.
Pretentious
Acting with an exaggerated sense of importance or talent.
His pretentious talk about art made him difficult to converse with at parties.
Snob
Someone insisting on only engaging with high culture or luxury goods.
His snobbish attitude made him avoid all but the finest artisanal foods.
Pretentious
Exhibiting undue importance in trivial matters to appear significant.
She made a pretentious fuss about the proper way to pronounce foreign words.
Snob
Someone who prefers associating with people of high social status.
As a snob, he only attended galas and events frequented by the elite.
Pretentious
Someone trying too hard to be seen as intellectual or avant-garde.
His pretentious use of obscure quotes did not impress his classmates.
Snob
Individual who judges others based on external symbols of social or cultural capital.
She became a snob at university, judging peers by their reading lists.
Pretentious
Attempting to impress by affecting greater importance or merit than is actually possessed.
Her pretentious display of knowledge was easily debunked by experts.
Snob
Snob is a pejorative term for a person who believes there is a correlation between social status (including physical appearance) and human worth. Snob also refers to a person who feels superiority over those from lower social classes, education levels, or other social areas.
Pretentious
Attempting to impress by affecting greater importance or merit than is actually possessed
The pretentious jargon of wine experts
Pretentious art films
Snob
A person who looks down on or snubs people who that person considers as being of a lower social class.
Pretentious
Claiming that or behaving as if one is important or deserving of merit when such is not the case
A pretentious socialite.
Snob
A person who feels an undue sense of intellectual or aesthetic superiority
A musical snob.
Pretentious
Showing or betraying an attitude of superiority
Made pretentious remarks about his education.
Snob
A person who wishes to be seen as a member of the upper classes and who looks down on those perceived to have inferior or unrefined tastes.
Pretentious
Marked by an extravagant or presumptuous outward show; ostentatious
A pretentious house.
Snob
(colloquial) A cobbler or shoemaker.
Pretentious
Intended to impress others.
Her dress was obviously more pretentious than comfortable.
Snob
(dated) A member of the lower classes; a commoner.
Pretentious
Marked by an unwarranted claim to importance or distinction.
Their song titles are pretentious in the context of their basic lyrics.
Snob
(archaic) A workman who works for lower wages than his fellows, especially one who will not join a strike (a scab#Noun).
Pretentious
Full of pretension; disposed to lay claim to more than is one's; presuming; assuming.
Snob
(Cambridge University) A townsman, as opposed to a gownsman.
Pretentious
Making claim to or creating an appearance of (often undeserved) importance or distinction;
A pretentious country house
A pretentious fraud
A pretentious scholarly edition
Snob
A vulgar person who affects to be better, richer, or more fashionable, than he really is; a vulgar upstart; one who apes his superiors.
Essentially vulgar, a snob. - a gilded snob, but none the less a snob.
Pretentious
Intended to attract notice and impress others;
An ostentatious sable coat
Snob
A townsman.
Pretentious
Of a display that is tawdry or vulgar
Snob
A journeyman shoemaker.
Snob
A workman who accepts lower than the usual wages, or who refuses to strike when his fellows do; a rat; a knobstick.
Those who work for lower wages during a strike are called snobs, the men who stand out being "nobs"
Snob
A person regarded as arrogant and annoying
Common Curiosities
Can a snob also be pretentious?
Yes, a snob can also exhibit pretentious behavior, especially if they exaggerate their knowledge or importance to maintain their perceived superiority.
Why do people dislike snobs?
People often dislike snobs because their attitude of superiority and exclusion can be offensive and divisive, making others feel undervalued or inferior.
What is a snob?
A snob is someone who prides themselves on their higher status or refined tastes and often despises those who they perceive as inferior.
How can you tell if someone is being a snob?
Someone might be a snob if they are dismissive or derogatory towards people with different lifestyles, lower status, or less refined tastes.
What are typical signs of pretentious behavior?
Typical signs include overly complex language, unnecessary name-dropping, or flaunting unearned or exaggerated credentials and achievements.
How does a snob choose their interests or hobbies?
A snob typically chooses interests or hobbies that are considered high-brow or culturally significant, such as classical music, fine arts, or luxury fashion, to reinforce their social standing.
Can pretentiousness ever be positive?
While generally viewed negatively, pretentiousness can sometimes spur individuals to strive for greater knowledge or sophistication, although it is more beneficial when paired with genuine effort and learning.
What does it mean to be pretentious?
Being pretentious involves displaying an exaggerated importance or talent, often without the substance to back it up, in an attempt to impress others.
Do pretentious people believe their own exaggerations?
Sometimes pretentious people are aware of their exaggerations and use them as a façade, while at other times, they might convince themselves of their own distorted perceptions of importance or talent.
How does snobbery affect social relationships?
Snobbery can strain or damage social relationships as it creates barriers based on arbitrary standards, often leading to exclusion or resentment from those who are judged or marginalized.
What are common criticisms of pretentious people?
Common criticisms include being seen as fake or inauthentic, as their exaggerated self-importance often lacks genuine substance, which can be irritating or laughable to others.
Is snobbery more common in certain cultures or societies?
Snobbery can be more prevalent in societies with rigid class structures or where cultural capital (like education, manners, taste) is highly valued and can be a basis for discrimination.
What can lead someone to become pretentious?
Factors like insecurity, a desire for social mobility, or the need to be accepted in certain social or professional circles can lead someone to adopt pretentious traits.
How do media and literature typically portray snobs?
In media and literature, snobs are often portrayed negatively, as antagonists or comic figures who are eventually humbled, highlighting their narrow-mindedness or elitism.
What might motivate a person to change from being a snob or pretentious?
Personal growth, negative feedback from peers, or significant life experiences that alter their perspective on social values and human connections might motivate someone to shed snobbish or pretentious traits.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
