scornful

[skawrn-fuh l]

adjective

Origin of scornful

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at scorn, -ful

Related formsscorn·ful·ly, adverbscorn·ful·ness, nounun·scorn·ful, adjectiveun·scorn·ful·ly, adverbun·scorn·ful·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

"I didn't care to have anything to do with it," returned Halbert, scornfully.
Brave and Bold
Horatio Alger
It was in vain to try to do so scornfully, or with his usual insolence.
Life And Adventures Of Martin Chuzzlewit
Charles Dickens
"That shows how much you know," said Pee-wee scornfully as he brushed off his clothing.
Pee-wee Harris
Percy Keese Fitzhugh
But this,” he added, scornfully, “is something you can not understand.
The Strollers
Frederic S. Isham
“They were all scared out of their senses,” Ruth said scornfully.
The Cat of Bubastes
G. A. Henty

mid-14c.; see scorn (n.) + -ful. Scorny was 19c. U.S. colloquial. Related: Scornfully; scornfulness.