First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
derision
noun de·ri·sion \di-ˈri-zhən\
: the feeling that people express when they criticize and laugh at someone or something in an insulting way
Full Definition of DERISION
1
2
: an object of ridicule or scorn
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Examples of DERISION
- 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
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Origin of DERISION
Middle English, from Middle French, from Late Latin derision-, derisio, from Latin deridēre (see deride)
Rhymes with DERISION
DERISION Defined for Kids
derision
noun de·ri·sion \di-ˈri-zhən\
Definition of DERISION for Kids
: 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>
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