French Conversation · Level 132
30 words
French word
dédaigner
Pronunciation
IPA/dedeɲe/
Meaning
- verblook down on
Example
Elle dédaigne les remarques des autres.
She looks down on other people's remarks.
More examples
Elle dédaigne souvent les compliments.
She often disdains compliments.
Core concept
A person dismisses someone or something with a proud gesture, or leaves a possible action undone as unworthy of effort.
Common phrases
ne pas dédaigner une proposition
not disdain an offer
dédaigner une invitation
disdain an invitation
dédaigner de répondre
disdain to reply
Similar words
ignorer: To consciously ignore someone's presence or what they say.
éviter: To maintain distance from someone or something to avoid contact.
snober: To reject someone coldly while showing that they are beneath consideration.
mépriser: To view someone as lacking worth and hold them in strong contempt.
Definition in French
Ne pas accorder d'égard ou d'attention à quelqu'un ou quelque chose par sentiment de supériorité, et, dans la construction «dédaigner de + infinitif», signifier qu'on omet volontairement de faire quelque chose.
Word origin
Dédaigner developed from Old French desdeignier, descended from Latin dedignari, a verb built from de- and a form related to dignus, 'worthy'.
Usage tips
- Dédaigner is formal and conveys contempt, while ignorer is usually more neutral when it means simply paying no attention.