Disdainful
/dɪsˈdeɪnfəl/
adjectiveC1
Definition
Disdainful describes a feeling or attitude where someone looks down on others or thinks they are not good enough. It shows a strong feeling of disrespect mixed with pride. People who are disdainful often act like they are better than others.
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⚡ See It in Action
Showing strong disrespect and pride toward someone or something
- •She gave a disdainful look to the messy room.
- •His disdainful tone made it clear he did not respect the idea.
- •The teacher was disdainful of students who did not try hard.
Acting in a proud way to show you think others are less important
- •The boss spoke disdainfully about the workers’ mistakes.
- •He was disdainful when talking about people with different opinions.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "disdainful" like "rude," but more about feeling proud and looking down on others, not just being impolite.
- ✓Picture someone raising their nose in the air and turning away when they see someone they don’t respect.
- ✓It’s the feeling when you see someone acting like they are too good to talk to others.
- ✓Sounds like "dis-DAYN-ful" → imagine someone saying "day-n" like "deny" but with a proud face refusing to accept others.
- ✓Think of a queen in a story who looks at common people with a cold, proud look.
- ✓NOT like "dislike" (just not liking something), "disdainful" means you also feel you are better and show disrespect.
- ✓NOT like "angry" (strong negative feeling), disdainful is more calm but proud and unfriendly.
- ✓NOT like "friendly" or "kind" which show respect and care.
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Scornful: showing strong dislike and disrespect (Use when the feeling is very strong and harsh)
- •Contemptuous: feeling that someone or something is not worthy (Use in formal or strong negative situations)
- •Arrogant: proud in a way that shows you think you are better (Use when focusing on pride and self-importance)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Prefix: "dis-" meaning "not" or "opposite of"
- •Root: "dain" from Latin "dignus," meaning "worthy" or "value"
- •Suffix: "-ful" meaning "full of"
- •Etymology: From Latin "dis-" + "dignari" (to deem worthy) → meaning "not worthy" or "without respect"
- •Historical development: Used in English since the 1500s to describe feelings of scorn or lack of respect
- •Modern usage: Describes attitudes or expressions showing disrespect mixed with pride
💭 Reflect & Connect
•Can feeling disdainful ever help someone protect themselves, or is it always negative?
•How does a disdainful attitude affect relationships with friends or coworkers?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.She looked disdainful ___ the new student because he was different from her group.
2.When he spoke in a disdainful tone, it showed he ___ respect for the other person's opinion.
3.Disdainful behavior often makes people feel ___ or unimportant.
4.Unlike being simply unhappy, being disdainful means you also ___ others.
5.The manager's disdainful comments made the employees feel ___ and unmotivated.
6.People who are disdainful usually do not try to ___ others’ feelings.
7.You can tell someone is disdainful when they ___ their nose or roll their eyes.