derogatory

IPA/dɪˈrɒɡətri/
KK[dɚˈɑɡətˌɔri]IPA/dɪˈrɑːɡətɔːri/

derogatory — adjective

  • derogatorypositive
  • more derogatorycomparative
  • most derogatorysuperlative

1. Showing that you look down on someone or something and speak about them as if th

1.adjectiveC1
Definition

Showing that you look down on someone or something and speak about them as if they deserve little respect.

Example

The coach was fired after using a derogatory nickname for the new goalkeeper.

collocation: derogatory nickname

In the meeting, Ayesha made a derogatory comment about night-shift cleaners.

derogatory comment about + group

Common collocations
  • derogatory remark
  • derogatory comment
  • derogatory term
  • derogatory tone
  • derogatory nickname
  • derogatory language
Synonyms
  • disparaging

    Very close in meaning, often used for language that openly lowers someone in other people's eyes.

  • insulting

    Stronger and more direct, often causing offence at once.

  • belittling

    Focuses on making someone seem small or unimportant.

Antonyms
  • respectful

    Showing regard instead of treating the target as beneath respect.

  • complimentary

    Expressing approval or praise rather than contempt.

Grammar Patterns

derogatory + remark / comment / term / tone

be/sound + derogatory

be + derogatory + about/toward + noun phrase

Usage Note

Most often describes remarks, names, tones, or jokes rather than neutral criticism. It is stronger than 'critical': criticism can be fair, but derogatory language lowers the person or thing it targets.

Common Mistakes

The editor was derogatory because she asked for clearer dates.
The editor was critical of the article, but not derogatory toward the writer.
'Derogatory' implies belittling or disrespect, not ordinary negative feedback.

Word family

  • derogate
    verbC2
  • derogation
    nounC2
  • derogatorily
    adverbC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

'Derogatory' describes language that lowers a person or thing by treating them as beneath normal respect. 'Disparaging' is very close, but it often suggests remarks that reduce someone's standing in other people's eyes. 'Critical' is broader and can be fair or useful, because criticism may simply point out a problem. 'Insulting' is more direct and usually feels sharper in the moment. A review can be critical without being derogatory. A joke about a worker's accent, or a nickname meant to make someone seem lesser, is derogatory.

derogatory ↗disparaging ↗critical ↗insulting ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

  • deeply derogatory
  • openly derogatory

Phrases

  • use a derogatory term
  • in a derogatory tone

Prepositions

  • derogatory about
  • derogatory toward

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word comes from a Latin root that meant 'to take away from' or 'lower', and it reached English through French. That earlier idea of lowering someone's standing explains the modern meaning: derogatory language speaks of a person or thing in a way that reduces their dignity or worth.

First known use

1503

1503, in the meaning defined at sense 2