deign

[ deyn ]

/ deɪn /

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See synonyms for: deign / deigned on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)

to think it appropriate to or in accordance with one's dignity; condescend: He would not deign to discuss the matter with us.

verb (used with object)

to condescend to give or grant: He deigned no reply.

Obsolete. to condescend to accept.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of deign

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English deinen, de(i)gnen, from Old French de(i)gnier, from Latin dignārī, dignāre “to judge worthy,” equivalent to dign(us) “worthy” + -ārī infinitive suffix

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH deign

deign , dine

Words nearby deign

deific, deification, deiform, deify, Deighton, deign, Dei gratia, deil, Deimos, deindex, deindividuation

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use deign in a sentence

Her dazzling turn in Hustlers—as the Lucite-cool veteran stripper queen Ramona—once again reminded moviegoers how much Lopez has to offer as a dramatic actor, even if the Academy didn’t deign to notice.
Why Jennifer Lopez Remains the Patron Saint of Romantic Comedies|Stephanie Zacharek|February 7, 2022|Time
An interlude satirizing the stultifying fatuousness of the royal mission is followed by one that fawningly celebrates the magnificence of Diana deigning to speak to Welsh well-wishers.
In time for Thanksgiving, Broadway serves up a turkey: ‘Diana’ the musical|Peter Marks|November 18, 2021|Washington Post
He hopes this will lead to a resurgence of stores on Main Street, the type of places that business travelers might not have deigned to visit.
Business Travel’s Demise Could Have Far-Reaching Consequences|Alana Semuels|October 20, 2021|Time
Good news is, when you own the club, the party can start whenever you deign to show up.
OMG, I Want to Rent That House: Ibiza, Spain|Allison McNearney|May 30, 2021|The Daily Beast

On the rare occasions when he would deign to reply, she would race to the nearest lavatory in search of the only guaranteed privacy available, bolt the door, and read her letter in ecstatic solitude.
How Prince Philip Became Queen Elizabeth's Unlikely Husband|Lily Rothman|April 9, 2021|Time
He would never deign me with any sort of acknowledgment, because I was too low on the totem pole.
Chloe Sevigny on ‘The Cosmopolitans,’ New York’s Frat Boy Takeover, and ‘Asshole’ Michael Alig|Marlow Stern|August 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Should we be grateful for whatever music they deign to release and grade them on a curve because of it?
‘High Hopes’ Review: Bruce Springsteen Lowers the Bar|Andrew Romano|January 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The New Mitt, who has discarded his frontrunner Too-Bain-to-Deign strategy to cross swords more eagerly with his opponents.
Newt Gingrich Shoots for the Moon (VIDEO)|Mark Katz|January 31, 2012|DAILY BEAST
But Canon Drivel's daughter did not deign to answer, she merely rang for prayers.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
Mr. Catherwaight did not deign to open his eyes this time, but moved his head uneasily as if he wished to be let alone.
Gallegher and Other Stories|Richard Harding Davis
Mme. la Duchesse, I pray you deign to re-enter your carriage.
The Bronze Eagle|Emmuska Orczy, Baroness Orczy
Gentle Night; deign to stay awhile: Some help is needed from you.
Amphitryon|Moliere
No; but if it be possible, deign to tell me what passed at this return.
Amphitryon|Moliere

British Dictionary definitions for deign

deign

/ (deɪn) /

verb

(intr) to think it fit or worthy of oneself (to do something); condescendhe will not deign to speak to us

(tr) archaic to vouchsafehe deigned no reply

Word Origin for deign

C13: from Old French deignier, from Latin dignārī to consider worthy, from dignus worthy

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

deign

Origin of deign

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH deign

Words nearby deign

Words related to deign

How to use deign in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for deign

Word Origin for deign