prig

Noun

1. A deliberately superior person; a person who demonstrates an exaggerated conformity or propriety, especially in an irritatingly arrogant or smug manner.
2. (archaic) A conceited dandy; a fop.
3. (Ireland, UK, archaic) A tinker.
4. (Ireland, UK, archaic) A petty thief or pickpocket.

Verb

1. (archaic, slang) To filch or steal.
2. To ride.
3. (obsolete) To copulate.

Pronounced as (IPA)

/pɹɪɡ/

Etymology

UK 16th century. Of unknown origin. Earlier noun senses ("tinker" and "thief"), as hyponyms of "undesirable person", may have informed later senses ("conceited person").

Synonyms

puritan

snob

snoot

snot

goody-goody

prude

coxcomb

dandy

faultfinder

fop

formalist

importune

moocher

moralist

old maid

pedagogue

pedant

pilfer

pirate

plunder

purloiner

scrounger

snitcher

steal

stealer

stuffed shirt

swank

verbalist

whippersnapper

know-all

swiper

high muckamuck

appropriator

paragon of virtue

beg

bighead

casuist

cheat

cockscomb