noun
affront
uh-FRUHNT
Affront (noun) means an action or remark that deliberately insults or offends someone. Example: “She took his comment as a personal affront.”
noun
1
An action or remark that deliberately insults or offends someone.
"She took his comment as a personal affront."
"The decision was seen as an affront to the entire community."
verb
1
To insult or offend someone openly.
"His dismissive tone affronted several members of the board."
How to use affront
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA deliberate insult, or the act of insulting someone directly.
Common pairings
an affront to
a personal affront
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Word forms
- Plural
- affronts
- Third person singular
- affronts
- Past tense
- affronted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She took his comment as a personal _____.
Etymology
From Old French afronter, "to hit in the face" or "to defy," from Latin ad- plus frons, "forehead" — the same root as "front."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “affront” mean?
The word “affront” means an action or remark that deliberately insults or offends someone. In plain terms, a deliberate insult, or the act of insulting someone directly.
How do you pronounce “affront”?
“Affront” is pronounced uh-FRUHNT (/əˈfrənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “affront” in a sentence?
Here is “affront” used in a sentence: “She took his comment as a personal affront.”
What part of speech is “affront”?
Depending on how it is used, “affront” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “affront” come from?
The word “affront” comes from Latin. From Old French afronter, "to hit in the face" or "to defy," from Latin ad- plus frons, "forehead" — the same root as "front.".
How many meanings does “affront” have?
“Affront” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an action or remark that deliberately insults or offends someone.
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