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pejorative

Adjective

IPA /pɪˈdʒɒrətɪv/

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Meaning in plain English

Expressing criticism or a negative opinion through a word or phrase.

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Pronunciation

pejorative/pɪˈdʒɒrətɪv/

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A neutral description
A label expressing disapproval

A pejorative label carries a negative judgement about the person or thing it describes.

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She disliked the pejorative nickname her neighbour used for the new café.
The editor replaced a pejorative label with a neutral description.

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She disliked the ________ nickname her neighbour used for the new café.

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pejorative — Expressing criticism or a negative opinion through a word or phrase.

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Expressing criticism or a negative opinion through a word or phrase.

Compare: She disliked the pejorative nickname her neighbour used for the new café.

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Word origin

From French pejoratif, ultimately from Latin pejor, meaning worse.

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A word may be neutral in one context but carry a pejorative sense in another.

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