What does derision mean?
Derision refers to contemptuous ridicule — the act of laughing at or mocking someone or something with scorn rather than affection. When a person or idea is treated with derision, they are being dismissed as foolish, worthless, or absurd, often publicly. The word typically appears in formal writing and speech, frequently in set phrases such as 'an object of derision' or 'the plan was met with derision'. Unlike playful banter, derision implies a hostile intent to demean its target, which gives it a strongly negative connotation. It derives from the Latin verb ridere, meaning 'to laugh', combined with the prefix de-, suggesting laughter aimed down at someone. Closely related English words include deride, derisive, and ridiculous, all sharing that same Latin root. The word remains a precise and useful choice when writers want to distinguish scornful mockery from mere criticism or disagreement.
nounContemptuous ridicule or mocking laughter directed at a person or thing regarded as deserving scorn.
- Contemptuous ridicule or mockery directed at someone or something.
- An instance or expression of such ridicule.
"The proposal was met with derision by the assembled council members."
"Her outlandish theory was greeted with open derision by her colleagues."
"Once the darling of the critics, the novelist became an object of derision after the scandal."
Rarely used; derision is normally uncountable. A plural form occasionally appears in older or literary texts to refer to individual acts or expressions of mockery.
"The play survived centuries of derisions from hostile critics."
The word 'derision' literally means 'a laughing at' — it comes from the Latin ridere, 'to laugh', making it the mean-spirited cousin of 'ridiculous'.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of derision
Derision comes from the Latin derisio(n-), meaning 'a mocking or laughing at', formed from deridere ('to laugh at'), which combines de- ('down') with ridere ('to laugh'). The word entered English in the late Middle Ages via Old French derision, and it has carried essentially the same sense of scornful mockery ever since. It shares its Latin root with deride, derisive, ridiculous, and risible, making this family of laugh-related words one of the more recognizable lineages in English vocabulary.
Related word forms
How derision is actually used
Derision is a formal-to-neutral register noun, almost always uncountable in modern use. It carries a strong negative connotation of scornful, dismissive laughter rather than good-natured teasing. It typically appears in phrases like 'an object of derision' or 'met with derision'.
Easily confused with derision
A diversion is an entertainment or a turning aside of something, whereas derision is contemptuous mockery — the words look similar but share no meaning.