disdainful
gb/dɪsdˈeɪnfəl/ us/dɪsdˈeɪnfəl/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
formal
C1
property
1
showing contempt or scorn
showing that you do not respect someone or something
Usage pattern:
[a disdainful look/tone/remark] (at/to [someone/something])
Common mistake:
Do not confuse with disinterested (not interested); disdainful means showing contempt.
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.)
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
Themes
emotions
|social_relations
|communication
Examples
- She gave him a disdainful look and turned away.
- His disdainful tone made it clear he thought the idea was ridiculous.
- The comment sounded polite, but the disdainful smile told a different story.
Learner examples
- He spoke in a disdainful voice.
- She looked at my shoes with a disdainful expression.
adjective
formal
C1
property
2
unwilling because it feels beneath you
not willing to accept or do something because you think it is too low or not good enough
Usage pattern:
disdainful of [something]; disdainful about [something]
Common mistake:
After disdainful, use of/about (e.g., disdainful of help), not for (unless a different structure is used).
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.)
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
Themes
emotions
|social_relations
|behavior
Examples
- He was disdainful of any suggestion that he might be wrong.
- She was disdainful of help, insisting she could handle everything alone.
- The reviewer was disdainful about the film’s simple storyline.
Learner examples
- He is disdainful of advice from others.
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.
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.
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.
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.