taunt
1[ tawnt, tahnt ]
/ tɔnt, tɑnt /
verb (used with object)
to reproach in a sarcastic, insulting, or jeering manner; mock.
to provoke by taunts; twit.
noun
an insulting gibe or sarcasm; scornful reproach or challenge.
Obsolete. an object of insulting gibes or scornful reproaches.
RELATED CONTENT
RELATED WORDS
gibe, jeer, ridicule, insult, derision, barb, put-down, jab, torment, deride, offend, mock, cut, dump, mockery, swipe, dig, sarcasm, slap, slam
Nearby words
- tauchnitz,
- taught,
- tauhinu,
- tauhou,
- tauiwi,
- taunton,
- taunton deane,
- taunus mountains,
- tauon,
- taupata
Origin of taunt
1First recorded in 1505–15; origin uncertain
taunt
2[ tawnt, tahnt ]
/ tɔnt, tɑnt /
adjective Nautical.
tall, as a mast.
Origin of taunt
2First recorded in 1490–1500; origin uncertain
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for taunt
taunt
1/ (tɔːnt) /
verb (tr)
to provoke or deride with mockery, contempt, or criticism
to tease; tantalize
noun
a jeering remark
archaic the object of mockery
Word Origin for taunt
C16: from French phrase tant pour tant like for like, rejoinder
adjective
nautical (of the mast or masts of a sailing vessel) unusually tall
Word Origin for taunt
C15: of uncertain origin
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