Disdain
A feeling of contempt or scorn for someone or something; to regard as unworthy.
noun (also verb)Disdain
A feeling of contempt or scorn for someone or something; to regard as unworthy.
noun (also verb)Imagine This
Imagine a judge who hears a peer's pitch and immediately sneers, arms crossed, and looks away as if the idea is utterly unworthy.
Sounds Like
dih-SDAYN
Looks Like
resembles despise in meaning; both express contempt
Remember This
Disdain is related to deign and derives from Old French desdainer, meaning to despise or scorn.
Other Forms
Connect With
contempt, scorn, derision, look down on, sneer
Note
Don't confuse with distain (not standard) or with despair. Disdain means to regard with contempt, not to stain or lose hope.
Study Deeper
- The critic looked at the film with disdain.
- She disdains anyone who relies on excuses instead of hard work.
From Old French desdainer 'to disdain, scorn,' from des- (prefix) + 'dainer' related to Latin dignus 'worthy' (via the verb deign). The noun appears in Middle English as disdain/desdain.
Disdain = not deign: to deign is to lower oneself to acknowledge worth; disdain is the opposite—you do not deign to recognize worth.
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