Deign Meaning in English
word
Definition
To do something that you feel is beneath your dignity, but you do it anyway, usually with a sense of reluctance or superiority.
Usage & Nuances
Formal and somewhat old-fashioned, mostly used in negative or sarcastic contexts ('didn't deign to respond'). Implies the speaker thinks the action is beneath them. Rare in daily speech.
Spanish: dignarsePortuguese (BR): dignar-sePortuguese (PT): dignar-seChinese (Simplified): 屈尊Chinese (Traditional): 屈尊Hindi: कृपा करनाArabic: تفضل (بـ)Bengali: তুচ্ছ কাজ করা - করুণা করে করাRussian: снизойти - удостоиться (с пренебрежением)Japanese: （わざわざ）～してくださる - （しぶしぶ）やってくれるVietnamese: hạ cố - đoái hoàiKorean: 마지못해 하다 - 굽이 내려오다Turkish: lütfetmek - tenezzül etmekUrdu: عنایت کرنا - توجہ دینا (غرور کے ساتھ)Indonesian: sudi - berkenan (dengan enggan)
Example Sentences
He would not deign to answer my question.
basic
She finally deigned to help us after we asked many times.
basic
He wouldn't even deign to look at us at the party.
natural
The king did not deign to speak to his servants.
basic
She rarely deigns to share her opinion unless asked directly.
natural
Do you think the boss will deign to join us for lunch today?
natural