What does deign mean?
Word: Deign
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: Deign means to agree to do something while making it clear that you think you are too important for it.
Sounds like: Dane (a person from Denmark)
How do you spell deign?
Syllables: deign
Tricky part: A silent g sits just before the n. You cannot hear it at all, so dein is the common slip.
Watch out for: dein, deighn
Memory tip: Gnome and gnat keep a silent g right before their n. Tuck one in before the n of this word too.
Deign in a sentence
Example 1: The champion did not deign to look at the smaller boys at the club.
Example 2: Would you deign to help us carry these chairs, your majesty, laughed Reena.
Example 3: Our cat will sometimes deign to sit on my lap, but only when it is cold.
Fun Fact
It comes from a Latin word for worthy, so someone who deigns to help thinks the task is only just worthy of them.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word deign as used in the sentence:
The star of the school play did not deign to reply to the juniors' notes.
a) hesitate
b) refuse
c) condescend
d) promise
Show answer
c) condescend. To condescend is to do something as if it were beneath you, which fits the star.
Word Cookie
Choose the letters that complete the word:
d__gn
a) e, a
b) i, e
c) a, i
d) e, i
Show answer
d) e, i. These two vowels make the long a sound, as they do in eight.
Word Cookie
One letter in this word is not needed. Find it:
deigne
a) e
b) i
c) g
d) n
Show answer
a) e. The word ends at the n; a second e is not needed.
Spell-o-Spell
Only one of these words is spelt correctly. Choose its meaning:
1. arrogent 2. reluctent 3. deign 4. acknowlege
a) too proud of yourself and your abilities
b) to accept that something is true
c) to stoop to doing something, as a favour
d) not willing to do something
Show answer
c) to stoop to doing something, as a favour. Arrogant ends in ant, acknowledge has a d before the g, and reluctant ends in ant as well.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A speaker who uses this verb about a classmate is usually showing:
a) mild disapproval
b) quiet sympathy
c) deep gratitude
d) warm admiration
Show answer
a) mild disapproval
2. What does 'The duchess deigned to wave' tell us about her attitude?
a) she felt above the crowd
b) she was shy of the crowd
c) she was eager to join the crowd
d) she was grateful to the crowd
Show answer
a) she felt above the crowd
