scorn
gb/skˈɔɹn/ us/skˈɔɹn/
B2
English
~ 3300
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
state
1
Strong contempt or disdain
A strong feeling that someone or something is not good and does not deserve respect.
Usage pattern:
feel [scorn] for [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'scorn' with 'scarf' or 'score' due to similar sounds, but the meanings are unrelated.
Synonyms
contempt (Very close in meaning, but 'contempt' can also imply moral or legal disregard.)
Antonyms
respect (Shows positive regard or esteem, the opposite of scorn.)
Collocations
treat with scorn
|look of scorn
|hold in scorn
|pour scorn on
Themes
emotions
|social
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She looked at his messy work with open scorn.
- The critics poured scorn on the new play.
- He spoke with scorn about their dishonest behavior.
- There was a hint of scorn in her voice.
Learner examples
- She looked at him with scorn.
- They showed scorn for his idea.
- He spoke with scorn about the plan.
- The teacher did not hide her scorn.
Verb
B2
action
2
To treat with contempt
To show that you think someone or something is bad or not worth respect.
Usage pattern:
[someone] scorns [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'scorn on' instead of correct patterns like 'scorn someone' or 'scorn something'.
Synonyms
mock (Focuses more on making fun, while 'scorn' is about deep contempt.)
Antonyms
admire (To regard with respect and approval, opposite of scorn.)
Collocations
scorn the idea
|scorn his offer
|scorn the rules
Themes
emotions
|social
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She scorns anyone who cheats in games.
- He scorned their attempts to help him.
- The leader scorned the proposal as foolish.
- They openly scorned his warning.
Learner examples
- She scorns people who lie.
- He scorned my advice.
- They scorn bad ideas.
- The boy scorns the rules.
Grammar
Dictionary form
scorn
IPA
GB/skˈɔɹn/
US/skˈɔɹn/
Syllables & stress
scorn (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (scorn)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: scorn
- Plural: scorn, scorns
Verb
- Base: scorn
- 3rd Person Singular: scorns
- Present Participle: scorning
- Past: scorned
Word family
Forms
scorns
noun
scorning
verb
scorned
verb
Core family
scornful
adjective B2
Related words
scornfully
adverb C1
Advanced or less common
scorner
noun
scornfulness
noun
Expressions
pour scorn on
1/pˈɔɹ skˈɔɹn ˈɔn/
fixed phrase
Criticize with contempt
To speak about something in a way that shows you do not respect it and do not believe it is good.
Examples
- The journalist poured scorn on the government's explanation.
- Many experts poured scorn on the theory.
the scorn of someone
1/ðə skˈɔɹn əv sˈʌmwˌʌn/
fixed phrase
Disrespect from a particular person
The strong feeling that a person has when they do not respect someone or something.
Examples
- He faced the scorn of his classmates after failing the test.
- The new mayor endured the scorn of the press.