taunt
tawnt
Taunt (verb) means to mock or provoke someone with insulting remarks, often to get a reaction. Example: “The fans taunted the opposing goalkeeper every time he touched the ball.”
verb
1
To mock or provoke someone with insulting remarks, often to get a reaction.
"The fans taunted the opposing goalkeeper every time he touched the ball."
"He taunted his brother until they ended up in a shouting match."
noun
1
A scornful or mocking remark aimed at provoking someone.
"She ignored the taunts from the crowd and kept running."
How to use taunt
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo mock someone in a way meant to provoke or wind them up, or the mocking remark itself.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
taunt someone
racist taunts
trade taunts
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Word forms
- Plural
- taunts
- Third person singular
- taunts
- Past tense
- taunted
- Comparative
- more taunt
- Superlative
- most taunt
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The fans _____ the opposing goalkeeper every time he touched the ball.
Etymology
From Middle French tanter ("to tempt, provoke"), a variant of the word that also gave English "tempt" — the two are historical doublets.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for taunt
See all rhymes for taunt →Frequently asked questions
What does “taunt” mean?
The word “taunt” means to mock or provoke someone with insulting remarks, often to get a reaction. In plain terms, to mock someone in a way meant to provoke or wind them up, or the mocking remark itself.
How do you pronounce “taunt”?
“Taunt” is pronounced tawnt (/tɔnt/ in IPA).
How do you use “taunt” in a sentence?
Here is “taunt” used in a sentence: “The fans taunted the opposing goalkeeper every time he touched the ball.”
What part of speech is “taunt”?
Depending on how it is used, “taunt” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “taunt” come from?
The word “taunt” comes from Middle French. From Middle French tanter ("to tempt, provoke"), a variant of the word that also gave English "tempt" — the two are historical doublets.
How many meanings does “taunt” have?
“Taunt” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to mock or provoke someone with insulting remarks, often to get a reaction.
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