verb
deign
dayn
Deign (verb) means to agree to do something considered beneath one's dignity or status. Example: “The celebrity finally deigned to answer a few questions from fans.”
verb
1
To agree to do something considered beneath one's dignity or status.
"The celebrity finally deigned to answer a few questions from fans."
"He didn't even deign to look up from his phone."
How to use deign
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo lower yourself to do something you consider beneath you — usually said with a hint of sarcasm about someone's arrogance.
When to use it
Almost always used ironically or critically, implying the subject thinks too highly of themselves.
Common pairings
deign to reply
deign to notice
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- deigns
- Past tense
- deigned
- Archaic forms
- deignest, deignedst, deigneth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The celebrity finally _____ to answer a few questions from fans.
Etymology
From Old French daigner, from Latin dignāre ("to deem worthy"), from dignus ("worthy, fitting").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for deign
See all rhymes for 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").
