To condescendto behave as if others are less important or deserve less respect is to act as if you are too important for something, or to speak to someone in a way that seems superiorfeeling or seeming better, more important, or higher in status. It can also mean agreeing to do something you see as beneathbelow someone’s level of dignity, worth, or proper behavior you, or lowering yourself in an unworthy way.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-15. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˌkɑn.dəˈsɛnd/
Easy pronunciation: KON-də-SEND (approximate spelling).
Stress: Primary stress is on the last syllable; the first syllable is secondary stress.
Use this verb sense meaning to speak or behave toward someone as if you are superior.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-15. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Condescend Meaning
to act superior and speak down to someone
Part of speech: verb
Definition: to speak or behave toward someone in a way that suggests you think you are better than them
Example: He condescended to explain the basics to us, as if we were children.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- patronize — Common in American English for speaking to someone in a superior way.
- patronise — Common in British English for speaking to someone in a superior way.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-15. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Condescend
Meaning 2
to agree to do something beneath your status
Part of speech: verb
Definition: to do something that you think is below your dignity
Example: She finally condescended to attend the meeting.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- deign — Means to do something you think is beneath you.
- descend — An older or less common fit in this sense.
Meaning 3
to behave in a way that is beneath your standards
Part of speech: verb
Definition: to lower yourself in a morally unworthy or dishonorable way
Example: I won't condescend to such dishonest tactics.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- stoop — Used for lowering yourself to an unworthy act or level.
- lower oneself — A close phrase for behaving beneath one's standards.
Meaning 4
to act like you know better than others
Part of speech: verb
Definition: to behave in a patronizing or superior way
Example: He was accused of condescending whenever he gave advice.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-15. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Condescend Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- patronize
- patronise
to do something that you think is below your dignity
- deign
- descend
to lower yourself in a morally unworthy or dishonorable way
- stoop
- lower oneself
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-15. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Do not confuse condescend with condescending: condescend is the verb, while condescending is the adjective.
- The word can mean either 'speak down to someone' or 'agree to do something you see as beneath you,' so context matters.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-15. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does condescend mean in simple English?
It usually means to talk to someone as if they are less important or less intelligent, or to agree to do something you feel is beneath you.
Is condescend always rude?
Often, yes, when it means speaking down to someone. But in another sense, it can simply mean agreeing to do something you consider beneath your status.
What is the noun or adjective form of condescend?
The adjective is condescending, and the noun is condescension.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-15. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.