骄矜 is a literary, formal adjective describing an attitude of arrogant self-importance—someone who looks down on others due to excessive pride in their status, talent, or achievements. The character 骄 (jiāo) conveys haughtiness or conceit, often linked to overconfidence; 矜 (jīn) adds a layer of affected dignity or self-conscious superiority, suggesting someone who holds themselves aloof and rigidly upright. Together, they form a compound that emphasizes both outward arrogance and inward self-regard.

This term appears frequently in classical texts, historical biographies, and formal modern writing—especially when criticizing leaders, scholars, or elites whose pride undermines humility or empathy. It carries strong negative connotations and is rarely used neutrally or positively. Unlike colloquial terms like 自大 (zìdà) or 骄傲 (jiāo'ào), 骄矜 implies a more entrenched, almost performative hauteur—less about simple confidence and more about disdainful detachment from others.