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noun B2 Upper-Intermediate

indignity

ihn-DIHG-nih-tee

Indignity (noun) means an act or situation that causes humiliation or a loss of dignity. Example: “Being searched at the airport felt like one more indignity after a long trip.”

noun
1
An act or situation that causes humiliation or a loss of dignity.
"Being searched at the airport felt like one more indignity after a long trip."

How to use indignity

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA humiliating experience or insult to your sense of self-respect.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with indignation, which is the feeling of anger, not the humiliating event itself.

Easily confused with
Common pairings
suffer the indignity of endure indignities

Word forms

indignities plural

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Being searched at the airport felt like one more _____ after a long trip.

Etymology

From Latin indignitas, from indignus, "unworthy," from in- ("not") + dignus ("worthy").

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for indignity

See all rhymes for indignity →

Frequently asked questions

What does “indignity” mean?

The word “indignity” means an act or situation that causes humiliation or a loss of dignity. In plain terms, a humiliating experience or insult to your sense of self-respect.

How do you pronounce “indignity”?

“Indignity” is pronounced ihn-DIHG-nih-tee (/ɪnˈdɪɡ.nɪ.ti/ in IPA).

How do you use “indignity” in a sentence?

Here is “indignity” used in a sentence: “Being searched at the airport felt like one more indignity after a long trip.”

What part of speech is “indignity”?

“Indignity” is a noun.

Where does the word “indignity” come from?

The word “indignity” comes from Latin. From Latin indignitas, from indignus, "unworthy," from in- ("not") + dignus ("worthy").

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