disdainful

Word family

• disdain
  nounC1
• disdain
  verbC1
• disdainfully
  adverbC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words describe looking down on someone or something, but they differ in heat and openness. 'Disdainful' is the coolest: it suggests a quiet sense of superiority, as if the thing is simply beneath notice — Nkechi's disdainful glance at the cheap copy. 'Contemptuous' is hotter and more hostile; it adds active disgust, as in a contemptuous remark about a rival. 'Scornful' leans toward open mockery, often spoken aloud: a scornful laugh at someone's mistake. 'Dismissive' is the mildest and need not imply superiority — you can be dismissive of an idea simply by waving it away as unimportant. Choose 'disdainful' when the feeling is cold pride; choose 'scornful' or 'contemptuous' when there is louder anger or ridicule.

Common collocations

Etymology

Built from the verb and noun 'disdain', which entered English through Old French 'desdaignier', meaning to look down on or treat as unworthy. That French word traces back to Latin 'dignus', meaning worthy — the prefix turning it into 'not worthy of regard'. The '-ful' ending was added later in English to form the adjective, giving the sense 'full of disdain'.