scorn
Americannoun
verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
idioms
noun
-
open contempt or disdain for a person or thing; derision
-
an object of contempt or derision
-
archaic an act or expression signifying contempt
verb
-
to treat with contempt or derision
-
(tr) to reject with contempt
Related Words
See contempt.
Other Word Forms
- outscorn verb (used with object)
- scorner noun
- scornful adjective
- scornfully adverb
- scornfulness noun
- scorningly adverb
- self-scorn noun
Etymology
Origin of scorn
First recorded in 1150–1200; (noun) Middle English scorn, scarn, from Old French escarn, from Germanic (compare obsolete Dutch schern “mockery, trickery”); (verb) Middle English skarnen, sc(h)ornen, from Old French escharnir, eschernir, ultimately from Germanic
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Despite the money and recognition, Kate seemed aimless and faced increasing public scrutiny and scorn.
From Literature
The search buttons are on the page for a reason and might save you a post and some scorn.
On the contrary, he mistrusts them, scorning even the praise heaped upon him.
He wanted to say that his talent was that important, but he knew that answer would only bring more scorn.
From Literature
She gave him a look; a look that aimed for high scorn but landed on fear.
From Literature
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
