Word
belittle
Phoneticsbe·lit·tle, stress on the second syllable
US/bɪˈɫɪtəɫ/
UK/bɪlˈɪtəl/
Definition
v. to make someone or something seem less important or less valuable than they really are. You use this when someone tries to hurt your feelings by acting like your ideas are not worth listening to.
v. to reduce the importance, value, or significance of something or someone. Often used to describe the act of diminishing another person's worth through speech or behavior.
Examples
“He tried to belittle her by calling her a child.”
“The manager often belittle his team's efforts in front of the board to make himself look more competent.”
“By constantly belittle the achievements of her predecessors, the new CEO created a toxic environment where innovation was stifled by fear of public criticism.”
Examples
simple
“He tried to belittle her by calling her a child.”
contextual
“The manager often belittle his team's efforts in front of the board to make himself look more competent.”
complex
“By constantly belittle the achievements of her predecessors, the new CEO created a toxic environment where innovation was stifled by fear of public criticism.”
Etymology
From be- + little. Coined by Thomas Jefferson in 1782
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/belittle