indignity
C1formal
Definition
Meaning
treatment or circumstances that cause one to feel shame or to lose one's dignity
An act or occurrence that humiliates or insults someone; a situation that undermines personal respect or self-worth
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Typically refers to a specific incident or treatment rather than a general state. Often implies a violation of what is considered decent or respectful treatment.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both varieties use the word identically.
Connotations
Slightly more common in British formal writing, but equally understood in American English.
Frequency
Low frequency in both varieties, primarily found in formal contexts, journalism, and literature.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
suffer + indignitybe subjected to + indignityadd + indignity + to + injurythe indignity of + gerund/noun phraseVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “add insult to injury”
- “rub salt in the wound”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in discussions about workplace treatment: 'Employees should not suffer the indignity of public reprimands.'
Academic
Common in history, sociology, political science discussing treatment of groups: 'The colonial subjects faced daily indignities.'
Everyday
Uncommon in casual speech. Used in serious discussions: 'The indignity of waiting for hours without explanation was unacceptable.'
Technical
Not used in technical fields.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He felt the indignity of falling in front of his friends.
- The prisoners suffered many indignities during their captivity.
- The final indignity was being asked to leave the premises by a junior clerk.
- The proposed policy would subject asylum seekers to the further indignity of having their biometric data taken upon arrival.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: IN-DIG-NITY. You DIG into someone's self-respect and take away their dignity (nity sounds like dignity).
Conceptual Metaphor
INDIGNITY IS A BLOW TO ONE'S STATUS / INDIGNITY IS A STAIN ON ONE'S HONOR
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'indifference' (равнодушие).
- Closer to 'унижение', 'оскорбление', 'бесчестье' than to 'недостоинство'.
- Remember it's a countable noun (an indignity, many indignities).
Common Mistakes
- Using as an adjective (*indignity treatment). Correct: 'indignity' is only a noun.
- Confusing with 'indignation' (anger at unfair treatment).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes an 'indignity'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a mid-to-low frequency word, primarily used in formal writing, journalism, and serious discussion.
Yes, 'indignities' is common when referring to multiple humiliating incidents or treatments.
'Indignity' is a noun meaning a humiliating treatment or circumstance. 'Indignation' is a noun meaning anger or annoyance provoked by what is perceived as unfair treatment.
No. The related adjective is 'indignant', and the verb is 'to indignify', though the latter is extremely rare and archaic.
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