deign
2 synonyms and 1 antonym for deign, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To agree to do something considered beneath one's dignity or status.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use deign
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
deign to reply
deign to notice
Almost always used ironically or critically, implying the subject thinks too highly of themselves.
Etymology
From Old French daigner, from Latin dignāre ("to deem worthy"), from dignus ("worthy, fitting").
Full origin of deign →Frequently asked questions
What does “deign” mean?
The word “deign” means to agree to do something considered beneath one's dignity or status. In plain terms, to lower yourself to do something you consider beneath you — usually said with a hint of sarcasm about someone's arrogance.
How do you pronounce “deign”?
“Deign” is pronounced dayn (/deɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “deign” in a sentence?
Here is “deign” used in a sentence: “The celebrity finally deigned to answer a few questions from fans.”
What part of speech is “deign”?
“Deign” is a verb.
Where does the word “deign” come from?
The word “deign” comes from Latin. From Old French daigner, from Latin dignāre ("to deem worthy"), from dignus ("worthy, fitting").
