condescending

C2+ Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ˌkɑndəˈsɛndɪŋ/ UK /ˌkɒndɪˈsɛndɪŋ/ See IPA manual

Meanings

1

adj
showing a patronizing attitude of superiority

His condescending tone made the interns bristle.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · showing a patronizing... patronizing supercilious superior disdainful haughtysnobbishlofty

Opposites

humble respectful deferential modest

Word family

Derived forms condescendingly

Related forms condescend condescension descend

Etymology

Present participle of condescend, used adjectivally. Condescend derives from Late Latin condescendere ('to stoop'), from com- ('together') + descendere ('to descend').

condescendere Latin scandere Latin

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# condescending

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2+
**Part of speech:** adj
**IPA (US):** /ˌkɑndəˈsɛndɪŋ/
**IPA (UK):** /ˌkɒndɪˈsɛndɪŋ/

## Meanings
1. showing a patronizing attitude of superiority

## Examples
- His condescending tone made the interns bristle.

## Synonyms
- patronizing
- supercilious
- superior
- disdainful
- haughty
- snobbish
- lofty

## Antonyms
- humble
- respectful
- deferential
- modest

## Derived Forms
- condescendingly

## Related Forms
- condescend
- condescension
- descend

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: condescendere
- Root: scandere

## Etymology
Present participle of condescend, used adjectivally. Condescend derives from Late Latin condescendere ('to stoop'), from com- ('together') + descendere ('to descend').

## AI Etymology
Condescending is an adjective meaning "showing a patronizing attitude of superiority". Historically, it is the present participle of condescend, used adjectivally. Condescend derives from Late Latin condescendere ('to stoop'), from com- ('together') + descendere ('to descend'). The visible construction is part of the etymology: condescending is not just an unanalyzed simple word. The historical chain links Latin condescendere with Latin scandere. Close English family members include condescendingly, condescend, condescension, and descend.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities
- Word Formation & Derivatives

markdown