What does "condescend" mean?
To come down or go down; to descend.
Condescend
/ˌkɒndɪˈsɛnd/ verb
verb ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: To come down or go down; to descend.
- Grammar: condescend is listed as verb.
- Nearest alternatives: deign, patronize, stoop, accede.
- Useful contrasts: decline, esteem, honor.
- Usage evidence: One thing there is for which so great a good is deferred: We must circumcise every male among us, following the manner of the nation. And their substance, and cattle, and all that they possess, shall be ours; only in this let us condescend, and by dwelling together, we shall make one people.
How to use "condescend"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "condescend" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "condescend" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "condescend" as the right word for your sentence.
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "condescend" is acting as verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "deign" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Verb
- 1 To come down or go down; to descend. intransitive, obsolete
"To ſtoop to any ſordid lovv Action, is to imitate the Kite, vvhich flyeth high in the Air, yet vouchſafes to condeſcend to Carrion upon the Ground."
- 2 treat condescendingly wordnet
- 3 To come down from a superior position and do something; to deign; (with a negative connotation) to stoop. figuratively, intransitive
"The boss condescended not to sack him after much persuasion from his coworkers."
- 4 debase oneself morally, act in an undignified, unworthy, or dishonorable way wordnet
- 5 To treat someone as though inferior; to talk down to someone; to patronize. figuratively, intransitive
"Miss Crawley's graciousness was also remarkable. She continued her raptures about little Amelia, talked about her before her face as if she were a doll, or a servant, or a picture, and admired her with the most benevolent wonder possible. I admire that admiration which the genteel world sometimes extends to the commonalty. There is no more agreeable object in life than to see May Fair folks condescending."
Show 10 more definitions
- 6 do something that one considers to be below one's dignity wordnet
- 7 Chiefly followed by on or upon: to go into detail; to particularize, to specify. figuratively, intransitive
"The whole of his work consists of digested and transformed experience presented to you under arrangements new to himself. It is all true, except as to "the way it is put," and you feel that it is true—that is, if the work be good of the kind; but you can not "condescend upon particulars" as to when and where it all happened."
- 8 behave in a patronizing and condescending manner wordnet
- 9 To agree to something; to accede, to assent, to consent; also, to reach an agreement. figuratively, intransitive, obsolete
"Than were they condeſended that Kyng Arthure and syr mordred ſhold mete betwyxte bothe theyr hooſtes and eueryche of them shold brynge fourtene persones […]"
- 10 To give way or yield in a deferential manner; to be amenable or compliant. figuratively, intransitive, obsolete
"Henricus the Emperour [Henry V, Holy Roman Emperor] fearing þᵉ vaine thūderbolt of the Popes curse, talking with his princes, and perswaded by his frendes, was fain to condescend to the vnreasonable conditions of the Pope: […]"
- 11 To graciously give; to vouchsafe. figuratively, intransitive, obsolete
"[W]hen John [the author of the Gospel of John] asks thee [Jesus] a queſtion […] thou condeſcendeſt to a mild and full (though ſecret) ſatisfaction."
- 12 To reach a certain point; to settle on. figuratively, intransitive, obsolete
"[H]is Ho[liness] hath, & contynually doth deſire them vvith ſpede to condeſcend to oon opinion, or other, & to ſhevv their ſentence in theſe Articles, VVhether in ther opinions the cauſes vvherupon the Matrimony ſhold be declared nought, & the Diſpenſation void, be ſufficient in the lavv, or not."
- 13 To secretly make plans, usually to bring about a bad or illegal result; to conspire, to plot. figuratively, intransitive, obsolete
"[S]he perſwaded the Duke of Clarence, that it was neyther naturall, nor honorable to him eyther to condiſcende or take parte againſt the houſe of Yorke, (of which he was lineally diſcended) and to ſet vp agayne the houſe of Lancaſtre, […]"
- 14 To treat (someone) as though inferior; to talk down to (someone); to patronize. nonstandard, rare, transitive
"I didn't mean to condescend you, Mr. Shreck."
- 15 Often preceded by the dummy pronoun it: to agree to (something); to consent. obsolete, transitive
"It was condescended by the warring parties that they should lay down their arms and seek peace."
Example
"One thing there is for which so great a good is deferred: We must circumcise every male among us, following the manner of the nation. And their substance, and cattle, and all that they possess, shall be ours; only in this let us condescend, and by dwelling together, we shall make one people."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "condescend"?
Common synonyms include: deign, patronize, stoop, accede, accede to, accept.
How do you use "condescend" in a sentence?
One thing there is for which so great a good is deferred: We must circumcise every male among us, following the manner of the nation. And their substance, and cattle, and all that they possess, shall be ours; only in this let us condescend, and by dwelling together, we shall make one people.
How do you pronounce "condescend"?
Pronounced /ˌkɒndɪˈsɛnd/.
Etymology
From Middle English condescenden, condescendre (“to deign, condescend; to accede graciously; to agree; to agree to, give consent; to make a concession, yield; etc.”), from Old French condescendre (“to descend, go down; to agree or assent to”) (modern French condescendre), from Ecclesiastical Latin condēscendere, the present active infinitive of condēscendō (“to stoop down; to condescend”), from Latin con- (prefix denoting a bringing together of several objects) + dēscendō (“to come or go down, descend; to stoop down”) (from dē- (prefix denoting reversal or undoing) + scandō (“to ascend, mount; to clamber”) (from Proto-Indo-European *skend- (“to climb, scale; to dart; to jump; etc.”))).