detestable
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of detestable
1375–1425; late Middle English < Middle French < Latin dētestābilis, equivalent to dētest ( ārī ) to detest + -ābilis -able
Explanation
Anything that's so hateful or disgusting that you can't bear to think about it is detestable. Many little kids find all green vegetables to be utterly detestable. It's pretty common for people to find hate speech detestable, as well as stepping on slugs in bare feet and the pungent smell of garbage. The verb detest means "hate" or "strongly dislike," and the adjective detestable brings in an element of disgust or offensiveness. The Latin root, detestabilis, means "abominable," from detestari, "curse or express abhorrence for."
Vocabulary lists containing detestable
Romeo and Juliet
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Negative Words to Describe a Person
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Many times by the power of my enchantments, I triumphed over the malicious hatred of the fairy Detestable.
From Old French Fairy Tales by Ségur, Sophie, comtesse de
"Detestable little wretch," said Mr. Brumley when at last she had departed.
From The Wife of Sir Isaac Harman by Wells, H. G. (Herbert George)
"Detestable creatures," said Mrs. Hilary, with acrimony, as usual.
From Dangerous Ages by Macaulay, Rose, Dame
The wicked fairy Detestable had profited by my absence and caused her death.
From Old French Fairy Tales by Ségur, Sophie, comtesse de
"Detestable philosophy!" continued Mr. Spence, looking from the canvas to the artist.
From A Romantic Young Lady by Grant, Robert
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
