pejorative

[ pi-jawr-uh-tiv, -jor-, pej-uh-rey-, pee-juh- ]

/ pɪˈdʒɔr ə tɪv, -ˈdʒɒr-, ˈpɛdʒ əˌreɪ-, ˈpi dʒə- /

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adjective

having a disparaging, derogatory, or belittling effect or force: the pejorative affix -ling in princeling.

noun

a pejorative form or word, as poetaster.

Nearby words

peipus, peiraeus, peiraievs, peirce, pejoration, pejorative, pekan, peke, pekepoo, pekin, peking

Origin of pejorative

1880–85; < Latin pējōrāt(us) (see pejoration) + -ive

SYNONYMS FOR pejorative

1 deprecatory.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR pejorative ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

pe·jo·ra·tive·ly, adverbnon·pe·jo·ra·tive, adjectivenon·pe·jo·ra·tive·ly, adverbun·pe·jo·ra·tive, adjective

un·pe·jo·ra·tive·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for pejorative

In Spanish the word joke (broma) is not at all pejorative, it is playful.
Isabel Allende’s Controversial New Thriller|Jane Ciabattari|February 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“A Billy Collins poem” has even been used as a pejorative term in certain workshop settings.
Why Billy Collins Is America’s Most Popular Poet|Austen Rosenfeld|October 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Grossman is quick to point out that he does not consider the term “sheep” a pejorative.
In Defense of a Good Guy With a Gun|Brian Castner|April 28, 2013|DAILY BEAST
There is no need to qualify this assessment with a pejorative “for a reality-TV show.”
The Rehab Show That Works|Natasha Vargas-Cooper|July 21, 2010|DAILY BEAST

It seems odd that the phrase “best and brightest” should be such a pejorative term.
My Address—and Apology—to Yale|Christopher Buckley|May 24, 2009|DAILY BEAST
But given its age and its purpose this ought not to be construed in the contemporary, pejorative sense.
Diego Collado's Grammar of the Japanese Language|Diego Collado
This term is a pejorative which may be applied also to the exercise of our other senses.
The Natural Philosophy of Love|Remy de Gourmont
Alternatively, Professor A. Dalzell points out to me that illa could have a pejorative sense.
The Last Poems of Ovid|Ovid

British Dictionary definitions for pejorative

pejorative

/ (pɪˈdʒɒrətɪv, ˈpiːdʒər-) /

adjective

(of words, expressions, etc) having an unpleasant or disparaging connotation

noun

a pejorative word, expression, etc

Derived Forms

pejoratively, adverb

Word Origin for pejorative

C19: from French péjoratif, from Late Latin pējōrātus, past participle of pējōrāre to make worse, from Latin pēior worse

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

pejorative

adjective

noun

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Nearby words

Origin of pejorative

SYNONYMS FOR pejorative

Related forms

Examples from the Web for pejorative

British Dictionary definitions for pejorative

pejorative

adjective

noun

Derived Forms

Word Origin for pejorative