Definition of derision
Examples of derision in a sentence
My remarks were anodyne, but some other snippets of marginalia were shrieks of derision… —Paul Theroux, Granta 44, Summer 1993
Britain had its boffins, working researchers subject to the derision of intellectual gentlemen. —James Gleick, Genius: The Life & Science of Richard Feynman, 1992
… discussion, laughter, lecturing, but no shouts or threats, no yardsticks banging for silence, no words of shame or derision. —Lorene Cary, Black Ice, 1991
The whole idea of Camelot excites derision. In fact, I am sure Kennedy would have derided it himself. No one at the time ever thought of his Washington as Camelot. —Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., The Cycles of American History, 1986
One of the students laughed in derision at my error.
The team's awful record has made it an object of derision in the league.
“Nerd” is a term of derision.
Where does derision come from?
Derision shares part of its origin with the words ridiculous and risible; all may be traced to the Latin verb ridēre (“to laugh”). From the time derision entered the English language in the 14th century, it has suggested laughter, albeit of a mocking or scornful variety. It may also be used to indicate an object of scornful laughter – that is, a laughingstock -- as in the line from Lamentations 3:14 of the King James Version of the bible: “I was a derision to all my people.”
Origin and Etymology of derision
Middle English, from Middle French, from Late Latin derision-, derisio, from Latin deridēre (see deride)
First Known Use: 14th century
DERISION Defined for English Language Learners
derision
playDefinition of derision for English Language Learners
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: the feeling that people express when they criticize and laugh at someone or something in an insulting way
DERISION Defined for Kids
derision
playDefinition of derision for Students
: a feeling of dislike or disrespect often shown by the use of insults <… The villagers spoke of Min—usually in jest, but sometimes with derision … — Linda Sue Park, A Single Shard>
Learn More about derision
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for derision Spanish Central: Translation of derision Nglish: Translation of derision for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of derision for Arabic speakers
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