Disdain Meaning
/dɪsˈdeɪn/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounA feeling of contempt or scorn.
nounThat which is worthy to be disdained or regarded with contempt and aversion.
Sentence Examples
Tom didn't notice the look of disdain on Mary's face.
It is necessary to have a healthy disdain for wealth.
CEFR Practice Quiz
She looked at the messy room with clear ____ and disgust.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Tom didn't notice the look of ____ on Mary's face.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English disdeynen, from Old French desdeignier (modern French dédaigner).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"He that with ſhepheards and a litle ſpoyle,
Durſt in diſdaine of wrong and tyrannie,
Defend his freedome gainſt a Monarchie:
What will he doe ſupported by a king?"
— c. 1587–1588 (date written), [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], 2nd edition, part 1, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592, →OCLC; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire; London: Scolar Press, 1973, →ISBN, Act II, scene i:
"Disdain and scorn ride sparkling in her eyes."
— 1598–1599 (first performance), William Shakespeare, “Much Adoe about Nothing”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene i]:
"Everything that could go right for England did although they never felt lucky and they chuckled at Kane’s third that ricocheted off his heel while he was looking the other way. Somewhere in the Moscow outskirts one could only guess at the grand disdain Cristiano Ronaldo will have felt at being supplanted as the tournament’s top scorer in that manner."
— 2018 June 24, Sam Wallace, “Harry Kane scores hat-trick as England hit Panama for six to secure World Cup knock-out qualification”, in Telegraph (UK), retrieved 24 Jun 2018:
"Most loathsom, filthy, foul, and full of vile Disdain."
— 1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book I, Canto I”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC:
"The leaves and fruit maintain'd with beauty's sun ; Exempt from envy , but not from disdain"
— c. 1591–1592 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Third Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene iii]:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
She looked at the messy room with clear ____ and disgust.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Tom didn't notice the look of ____ on Mary's face.