defy
dih-FEYE
Defy (verb) means to openly refuse to obey or comply with something. Example: “The protesters defied the curfew and marched anyway.”
verb
1
To openly refuse to obey or comply with something.
"The protesters defied the curfew and marched anyway."
"If you defy your teacher you may end up in detention."
"Before coalition forces arrived, Iraq was ruled by a dictatorship that murdered its own citizens, threatened its neighbors, and defied the world."
— George W. Bush, Presidential Radio Address - 19 March 2005 (2005)
2
To resist or fail to conform to something, as if impossible to overcome.
"The stunt seemed to defy the laws of physics."
How to use defy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo stand up against a rule, order, or expectation and refuse to follow it.
Common pairings
defy orders
defy expectations
defy gravity
defy logic
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Word forms
- Plural
- defies
- Third person singular
- defies
- Past tense
- defied
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The stunt seemed to _____ the laws of physics.
Etymology
From Old French desfier, ultimately from Latin dis- ("away") + fidus ("faithful") — originally meaning to renounce loyalty, later shifting to mean "challenge."
Related words
Rhymes for defy
See all rhymes for defy →Frequently asked questions
What does “defy” mean?
The word “defy” means to openly refuse to obey or comply with something. In plain terms, to stand up against a rule, order, or expectation and refuse to follow it.
How do you pronounce “defy”?
“Defy” is pronounced dih-FEYE (/dɪˈfaɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “defy” in a sentence?
Here is “defy” used in a sentence: “The stunt seemed to defy the laws of physics.”
What part of speech is “defy”?
“Defy” is a verb.
Where does the word “defy” come from?
The word “defy” comes from Latin. From Old French desfier, ultimately from Latin dis- ("away") + fidus ("faithful") — originally meaning to renounce loyalty, later shifting to mean "challenge.".
Is “defy” a common word?
“Defy” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “defy” have?
“Defy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to openly refuse to obey or comply with something.
