What does disdain mean?
Disdain is a feeling of contemptuous scorn — the conviction that someone or something is unworthy of one's respect or attention. As a noun, it names that attitude itself, as when a critic regards a poorly argued book with disdain. As a verb, it can mean either to view with contempt or to reject something outright as beneath one's dignity, as in 'he disdained to answer the accusation.' The word carries a distinctly haughty connotation: to feel disdain is to place oneself above its object, and this air of superiority makes it a favorite of writers describing aristocrats, snobs, and purists. It is somewhat formal in register, common in literary and journalistic prose. Etymologically rich, disdain descends from Latin roots shared with words like dignity and deign, so its very form encodes the idea of judging what deserves one's notice. Knowing disdain gives you precise vocabulary for a familiar human posture: looking down on what one deems lowly.
A feeling of contemptuous scorn toward someone or something considered unworthy of respect or attention.
"Her voice was cool, edged with disdain."
Frequently appears in the phrase 'with disdain' after verbs of speaking or looking.
To regard or treat someone or something with contempt, or to refuse to do something as being beneath one's dignity.
"The veteran chef disdains trendy shortcuts in the kitchen."
Rare; the plural typically appears in literary contexts referring to multiple instances or expressions of disdain, often in phrases such as 'the disdains of fortune.'
"The novel catalogues the petty disdains of village life with surgical precision."
When you 'disdain' an offer, you are literally saying it isn't worthy of your dignity — the word shares its root with 'deign,' which means to stoop to accept something.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of disdain
Disdain entered English in the late Middle Ages, around the 14th century, via Old French desdeign (from desdaigner), ultimately from Latin dedignari, meaning 'to deem unworthy.' This Latin verb combines de- ('down, away') with dignari, 'to consider worthy,' itself derived from dignus, 'worthy' — the same root that gives us dignity, deign, and indignant. The word thus literally embodies the notion of judging something beneath one's worth.
Related word forms
How disdain is actually used
Disdain carries a strongly negative connotation of haughty superiority; it implies not merely dislike but a judgment that its object is beneath one's notice or standards. It is somewhat formal in register, appearing more often in literary and journalistic prose than in casual conversation. As a verb meaning simply 'to refuse' (e.g., 'she disdained to reply'), it has a slightly old-fashioned flavor but remains current in elevated writing.
Easily confused with disdain
To disparage is to actively criticize or belittle something in speech, whereas disdain is the attitude of contemptuous rejection itself and need not be expressed outwardly.