disdainful
gb/dɪsdˈeɪnfəl/ us/dɪsdˈeɪnfəl/
C1
English
lenéző, megvető, megvetően elutasító, fölényesen elutasító
C1
FORMAL
1
Usage pattern:
[a disdainful look/tone/remark] (at/to [someone/something])
She gave him a disdainful look and turned away.
Lenéző pillantást vetett rá, majd elfordult.
His disdainful tone made it clear he thought the idea was ridiculous.
Lenéző hangneme egyértelművé tette, hogy nevetségesnek tartja az ötletet.
The comment sounded polite, but the disdainful smile told a different story.
Learner examples
He spoke in a disdainful voice.
Lenéző hangon beszélt.
She looked at my shoes with a disdainful expression.
Lenéző arckifejezéssel nézett a cipőmre.
Common mistake:
Do not confuse with disinterested (not interested); disdainful means showing contempt.
Meaning
showing contempt or scorn
Collocations
a disdainful look
|a disdainful glance
|a disdainful smile
|a disdainful snort
|a disdainful tone
|a disdainful remark
|a disdainful attitude
|disdainful laughter
|a disdainful expression
|disdainful toward others
Synonyms
scornful (Very close; often emphasizes open scorn.)
|
contemptuous (Slightly stronger and more explicit about contempt.)
|
sneering (Suggests a mocking facial expression or tone.)
Antonyms
respectful (Shows respect rather than contempt.)
|
admiring (Shows approval and appreciation instead of scorn.)
Themes
emotions
|social_relations
|communication
Definition
showing that you do not respect someone or something
Showing that you think someone or something is unworthy of respect; scornful.
C1
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
disdainful of [something]; disdainful about [something]
He was disdainful of any suggestion that he might be wrong.
Megvetően elutasított minden olyan felvetést, hogy esetleg tévedhet.
She was disdainful of help, insisting she could handle everything alone.
Megvetően elutasította a segítséget, és ragaszkodott hozzá, hogy mindent egyedül is meg tud oldani.
The reviewer was disdainful about the film’s simple storyline.
Learner examples
He is disdainful of advice from others.
Megvetően elutasítja mások tanácsait.
Common mistake:
After disdainful, use of/about (e.g., disdainful of help), not for (unless a different structure is used).
Meaning
unwilling because it feels beneath you
Collocations
disdainful of help
|disdainful of advice
|disdainful of criticism
|disdainful of compromise
|disdainful of popular culture
|disdainful about rules
|disdainful about small talk
|disdainful of authority
Synonyms
dismissive (Focuses on treating something as not worth attention.)
|
snobbish (Emphasizes feeling socially or culturally superior.)
|
superior (Often implies a similar attitude but can be less direct than disdainful.)
Antonyms
open-minded (Willing to consider or accept something rather than reject it as beneath you.)
|
receptive (Willing to accept help, advice, or ideas.)
Themes
emotions
|social_relations
|behavior
Definition
not willing to accept or do something because you think it is too low or not good enough
Unwilling to do, accept, or be involved with something because you consider it not good enough for you.
Grammar
Dictionary form
disdainful
IPA
GB/dɪsdˈeɪnfəl/
US/dɪsdˈeɪnfəl/
Syllables & stress
dis - dain - ful (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (dain)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: disdainful
Word family
Core family
disdain
noun C1
disdainfully
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
respectful
adjective B1
respectfully
adverb B2
Advanced or less common
disdainfulness
noun
Expressions
a disdainful glance
1/ə dɪsdˈeɪnfəl ɡlˈæns/
fixed phrase
a quick contemptuous look
a quick look that shows you do not respect someone
Examples
- She threw him a disdainful glance and walked past.
- He cast a disdainful glance at the cheap watch.
- The judge gave the lawyer a disdainful glance before responding.
Learner examples
- She threw a disdainful glance at him.
a disdainful look
1/ə dɪsdˈeɪnfəl lˈʊk/
fixed phrase
a contemptuous facial expression
a face that shows you do not respect someone or something
Examples
- He gave her a disdainful look when she asked for help.
- The manager shot me a disdainful look and kept walking.
- I could tell from her disdainful look that she hated the plan.
Learner examples
- She gave me a disdainful look.
a disdainful smile
1/ə dɪsdˈeɪnfəl smˈaɪl/
fixed phrase
a scornful smile
a smile that shows you think someone or something is not good
Examples
- A disdainful smile crossed his face as she spoke.
- She greeted the announcement with a disdainful smile.
- He offered a disdainful smile and refused to explain.
Learner examples
- He had a disdainful smile.
in a disdainful tone
1/ˈɪn ə dɪsdˈeɪnfəl tˈoʊn/
fixed phrase
speaking with scorn
speaking in a way that shows you do not respect someone or something
Examples
- "That’s your solution?" she asked in a disdainful tone.
- He replied in a disdainful tone that made the room go quiet.
- Even simple questions sounded rude in his disdainful tone.
Learner examples
- He answered in a disdainful tone.