pejorative: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal; academic; critical discourse.
Quick answer
What does “pejorative” mean?
A word or expression that conveys disapproval or contempt.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A word or expression that conveys disapproval or contempt; an insulting or belittling term.
In a broader linguistic sense, referring to the quality of language that demeans, disparages, or lowers the perceived status, dignity, or importance of its referent.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Pronunciation differs slightly (see IPA).
Connotations
Identical connotations in both varieties. Associated with careful, critical, or scholarly analysis of language.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American academic writing, but the difference is marginal.
Grammar
How to Use “pejorative” in a Sentence
[be] pejorative about + NOUN PHRASE[consider/regard/view] + NOUN PHRASE + as pejorativeuse + NOUN PHRASE + pejorativelyVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “pejorative” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Linguists note how words can pejorate over centuries.
- The term has been pejorated in recent political discourse.
American English
- Slang terms often pejorate quickly.
- Activists argued the label was being used to pejorate an entire community.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in discussions about branding or corporate communications where language perception is analysed (e.g., 'Avoid pejorative descriptions of competitors in official reports.').
Academic
Common in linguistics, sociology, political science, and literary criticism to analyse the loaded nature of terminology (e.g., 'The author traces the pejoration of the word “villain” from a feudal term to a moral judgment.').
Everyday
Uncommon in casual speech. Used by educated speakers in discussions about potentially offensive language (e.g., '“Hick” is considered a pejorative term for someone from a rural area.').
Technical
Core term in semantics and pragmatics for describing semantic shift towards negative evaluation (pejoration), as opposed to amelioration.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “pejorative”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “pejorative”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “pejorative”
- Mispronunciation: /ˈpedʒ.ər.ə.tɪv/ (incorrect stress).
- Misspelling: 'perjorative'.
- Using it as a synonym for simply 'negative' rather than specifically *disparaging*.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'pejorative' is a descriptive, neutral term used to *label* words that are negative or insulting. It is not inherently insulting.
The opposite process is 'amelioration' (semantic improvement). An 'approbatory' or 'laudatory' term is the opposite kind of evaluative word.
Yes, though it's less common and largely restricted to academic linguistics. The verb is 'pejorate', meaning 'to make or become worse in meaning or value'.
They are near-synonyms. 'Pejorative' is slightly more formal and is the preferred term in linguistic analysis. 'Derogatory' is more general and can apply to actions as well as words.
A word or expression that conveys disapproval or contempt.
Pejorative is usually formal; academic; critical discourse. in register.
Pejorative: in British English it is pronounced /pɪˈdʒɒr.ə.tɪv/, and in American English it is pronounced /pɪˈdʒɔːr.ə.t̬ɪv/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “take a pejorative turn”
- “a term of pejoration”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
PEJorative sounds like 'badgering' someone—picking on them with negative, insulting words.
Conceptual Metaphor
LANGUAGE IS A WEAPON (to attack with pejorative terms), SEMANTIC CHANGE IS A JOURNEY (pejoration is a downward path).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'pejorative' CORRECTLY?