What does disgrace mean?
Disgrace refers to the loss of respect, honour, or good reputation that follows from shameful or unacceptable behaviour. As a noun, it can describe both this state of lost esteem — as when a politician resigns in disgrace — and a person or thing considered shameful, as in calling failing schools 'a disgrace to the community'. As a verb, it means to bring shame upon someone or something: a scandal can disgrace an institution, just as bad manners can disgrace a family name. The word carries a strong moral weight; it implies genuine wrongdoing or failure rather than simple misfortune, which distinguishes it from milder terms like 'disapproval'. Common collocations include 'in disgrace', 'fall into disgrace', and 'bring disgrace on'. Derived forms include the adjective 'disgraceful', meaning shockingly unacceptable. The word traces back through French to Latin roots combining 'dis-' (away) with 'gratia' (favour), so its underlying image is of grace or favour withdrawn.
Loss of respect, honour, or reputation resulting from shameful conduct.
"He resigned in disgrace after the expenses scandal."
Often used in the phrases 'in disgrace' and 'a disgrace to something'.
To bring shame or discredit upon someone or something.
"His dishonesty disgraced the entire firm."
The plural is rare; 'disgrace' is usually uncountable when referring to shame itself, but takes a plural when referring to multiple instances of shameful things or acts.
"The report catalogued the many disgraces of the previous administration."
The word 'disgrace' literally means the removal of grace — in older usage, being disgraced meant losing a place of favour at court.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of disgrace
Disgrace entered English in the 16th century via French 'desgrace', formed from the Latin root 'gratia' (favour, grace) with the negative prefix 'des-'. Its original sense was the loss of favour — particularly royal or official favour — before broadening into the modern sense of general shame and loss of reputation. It shares the same Latin root with words such as 'grace', 'gracious', and 'gratify'.
Related word forms
How disgrace is actually used
'Disgrace' carries a strong moral connotation — it implies wrongdoing or serious failure rather than mere misfortune. It is common in formal journalism and public discourse ('a national disgrace') as well as everyday speech. The phrase 'a disgrace to...' is frequently used of people whose conduct shames a group they belong to.
Easily confused with disgrace
Disfavour is mere lack of approval or goodwill (often from someone in power), whereas disgrace is a stronger loss of reputation caused by actual shame or wrongdoing.