Umbrage is a word born in the shadows. Its ultimate source (and that of umbrella) is Latin umbra, meaning “shade, shadow,” and when it was first used in the 15th century it referred to exactly that. But figurative use followed relatively quickly. Shakespeare wrote of Hamlet that "his semblable is his mirror, and who else would trace him, his umbrage, nothing more,” and by the 17th century this meaning of “vague suggestion; hint,” had been joined by other uses, including the “feeling of resentment or offense” heard today in such sentences as “many took umbrage at the speaker’s tasteless jokes.” The word’s early literal use is not often encountered, though it does live on in literature: for example, in her 1849 novel, Charlotte Brontë describes how the titular Shirley would relax “at the foot of some tree of friendly umbrage.”
huff implies a peevish short-lived spell of anger usually at a petty cause.
in a huff he slammed the door
Examples of umbrage in a Sentence
took umbrage at the slightest suggestion of disrespect
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The Johnson official familiar with Local 2 negotiations, who asked to remain anonymous to speak freely about confidential talks, took umbrage at that description.—Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025 Shore took umbrage with the declaration made by Braner and Marcotte.—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025 Then there were those who simply took umbrage with the woman behind the video breaking her grandma's eggs.—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025 Despite the Eagles' defense having a day, Kelce has taken umbrage with his performance in the biggest game of the season and is seemingly planning to rectify that by returning for the 2025 season.—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for umbrage
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin umbraticum, neuter of umbraticus of shade, from umbratus, past participle of umbrare to shade, from umbra shade, shadow; akin to Lithuanian unksmė shadow
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