Scornful Meaning
/ˈskɔɹnfəl/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjShowing scorn or disrespect; contemptuous; scathing; withering.
Sentence Examples
Mary was scornful of Tom.
He was scornful of the danger.
Everybody is fed up with Dan's scornful attitude.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
She gave a ____ glance at the messy room, showing clear disgust.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
His ____ expression made it clear he had no respect for the proposal.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree Middle English scorn Proto-Indo-European *pleh₁- Proto-Indo-European *-nós Proto-Indo-European *pl̥h₁nós Proto-Germanic *fullaz Proto-Germanic *-fullaz Old English -ful Middle English -ful Middle English scornful English scornful Inherited from Middle English scornful; equivalent to scorn + -ful.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Bleſſed is that man that hath not walked in the counſaile of the vngodly: nor ſtand in the waye of ſynners, and hath not ſit in the ſeate of ſkornefull."
— 1549 March 7, Thomas Cranmer [et al.], compilers, “The Introites, Collectes, Epistles, and Gospels to be Used at the Celebracion of the Lordes Supper & Holy Communion, throughe the Yeare: With Proper Psalmes, and Lessons for Diuers Feastes and Dayes”, in The Booke of the Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacramentes, […], London: […] Edowardi Whitchurche […], →OCLC, folio viia, recto:
"Fie, fie, vnknit that thretaning vnkinde brovv, / And dart not ſcornefull glances from thoſe eies, / To vvound thy Lord, thy King, thy Gouernour."
— c. 1590–1592 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Taming of the Shrew”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene ii], page 229, column 1:
"Elbows almost touching they leaned at ease, idly reading the almost obliterated lines engraved there. "I never understood it," she observed, lightly scornful. "What occult meaning has a sun-dial for the spooney? I'm sure I don't want to read riddles in a strange gentleman's optics.""
— 1907 August, Robert W[illiam] Chambers, “Silverside”, in The Younger Set, New York, N.Y.: D. Appleton & Company, →OCLC, page 316:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
She gave a ____ glance at the messy room, showing clear disgust.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
His ____ expression made it clear he had no respect for the proposal.