belittle
Belittle (verb) means to speak of someone or something as less important or impressive than it really is, often to show contempt. Example: “He constantly belittled his colleagues' ideas in meetings.”
How to use belittle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo make someone or something seem smaller or less worthy than it actually is, usually unkindly.
Belittle is a verb about how you talk about someone, not about physical size.
Word forms
belittled past tense, belittles singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He constantly _____ his colleagues' ideas in meetings.
Etymology
Formed from be- plus little; the word is credited to Thomas Jefferson, who coined it in 1782.
Related words
Rhymes for belittle
See all rhymes for belittle →Frequently asked questions
What does “belittle” mean?
The word “belittle” means to speak of someone or something as less important or impressive than it really is, often to show contempt. In plain terms, to make someone or something seem smaller or less worthy than it actually is, usually unkindly.
How do you pronounce “belittle”?
“Belittle” is pronounced bih-LIHT-uhl (/bɪˈlɪt.əl/ in IPA).
How do you use “belittle” in a sentence?
Here is “belittle” used in a sentence: “He constantly belittled his colleagues' ideas in meetings.”
What part of speech is “belittle”?
“Belittle” is a verb.
Where does the word “belittle” come from?
The word “belittle” dates back to around 1782. Formed from be- plus little; the word is credited to Thomas Jefferson, who coined it in 1782.