deny
gb/dɪnˈaɪ/ us/dɪnˈaɪ/
B1
English
~ 1400
tagad, megtagad
VERB
B1
1
tagad
B1
Usage pattern:
to deny [something/doing something]
She denied stealing the money.
Tagadta, hogy ellopta a pénzt.
The company denied any involvement in the scandal.
A cég tagadta, hogy bármi köze lenne a botrányhoz.
He denied that he had ever met her.
They denied breaking the rules.
Learner examples
She denied the story.
Tagadta a történetet.
He denied the crime.
Tagadta a bűncselekményt.
They denied the rumor.
I deny the lie.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'deny' with 'refuse'. 'Deny' means to say something is not true; 'refuse' means to not accept or do something.
Meaning
Say something is untrue
Collocations
deny the allegations
|deny responsibility
|deny a claim
|deny wrongdoing
Synonyms
refute (Often used in more formal contexts, especially when providing evidence against a statement.)
Antonyms
admit (To accept or acknowledge that something is true.)
Themes
communication
|law
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To say that something is not true.
To declare that something is not true or did not happen.
VERB
B1
2
megtagad
B2
Usage pattern:
to deny [someone] [something]
They denied him entry to the building.
Megtagadták tőle a belépést az épületbe.
The government denied the refugees food and shelter.
A kormány megtagadta a menekültektől az ételt és a szállást.
She was denied the chance to speak.
The request for more time was denied.
Learner examples
They denied me food.
Megtagadták tőlem az ételt.
He denied her entry.
Megtagadta tőle a belépést.
The school denied us help.
The bank denied him a loan.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with 'refuse' in structure. Remember: 'deny someone something' not 'deny to someone'.
Meaning
Refuse to give or allow
Collocations
deny access
|deny permission
|deny entry
|deny benefits
Synonyms
withhold (Implies keeping something back deliberately, often tangible or needed.)
Antonyms
grant (To give or allow something that has been requested.)
Themes
daily life
|law
|rights
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To not let someone have or do something.
To refuse to give, grant, or allow someone to have or do something.
VERB
B2
3
tagad
B1
Usage pattern:
to deny [that clause/something]
He still denies the possibility of failure.
Még mindig tagadja a kudarc lehetőségét.
Some people deny climate change.
Vannak, akik tagadják a klímaváltozást.
She denied the reality of her illness.
They deny that such events ever happened.
Learner examples
He denies the news.
Tagadja a hírt.
They deny climate change.
Tagadják a klímaváltozást.
She denies the problem.
I deny that idea.
Meaning
Refuse to accept as true
Collocations
deny the truth
|deny reality
|deny existence
Synonyms
reject (Can imply turning away an idea, belief, or proposal.)
Antonyms
accept (To take as true or agree with.)
Themes
emotions
|beliefs
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To not accept or believe something.
To refuse to accept, believe, or acknowledge something as true or real.
Grammar
Dictionary form
deny
IPA
GB/dɪnˈaɪ/
US/dɪnˈaɪ/
Syllables & stress
deny (1 syllable)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: deny
- 3rd Person Singular: denies
- Present Participle: denying
- Past: denied
Word family
Forms
denies
verb
denying
verb
denied
verb
Core family
denial
noun B1
Related words
denier
noun
undeniable
adjective
undeniably
adverb
Advanced or less common
deniability
noun
Expressions
deny all knowledge of
1/dɪnˈaɪ ˈɔl nˈɑlɪd͡ʒ əv/
fixed phrase
Claim no awareness of something
To say you do not know anything about something.
Examples
- The suspect denied all knowledge of the stolen goods.
- She denied all knowledge of the plan.
deny oneself
1/dɪnˈaɪ wˌʌnsˈɛlf/
fixed phrase
Refuse oneself pleasures or things
To decide not to have something you want, usually for moral or practical reasons.
Examples
- He denies himself sweets to stay healthy.
- She denied herself any luxuries while saving for a house.