deign

verb

ˈdān 

deigned; deigning; deigns

intransitive verb

: to condescend reluctantly and with a strong sense of the affront to one's superiority that is involved : stoop

would not even deign to talk to him

One iconoclastic architect, for example, doesn't deign to speak of bathrooms.

—Carol Vogel

transitive verb

: to condescend to give or offer

never so much as deigning a glance

—George Meredith

Synonyms

• condescend
• stoop

Examples of deign in a Sentence

I wouldn't deign to answer that absurd accusation.

Recent Examples on the Web

But cry not for the titans of industry who deign to take on government work. —Allison Morrow, CNN, 28 Nov. 2024

On a match point, an accidental drop-shot serve shanked with crazy spin travelled so slowly that the speed gun did not deign to rate it. —Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 3 Sep. 2024

Joe Biden and Donald Trump — who plainly detest each other — wouldn’t deign to shake hands. —Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2024

Then, when the Sun finally deigns to shine on your sign, your own ruler Venus leaves you for Scorpio. —Jennifer Culp, Them, 13 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French deigner, from Latin dignare, dignari, from dignus worthy — more at decent

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Kids Definition

deign

verb

ˈdān 

: to think proper to one's dignity

did not deign to reply to the rude remark