To deign to do something means to do it even though you consider it beneath your dignity or status. When someone deigns to respond to a question, they're acting as if answering is almost too trivial for someone as important as them. If a famous author deigns to sign a fan's book, there's a sense they're doing a favor they barely have time for.

The word carries a whiff of arrogance or superiority. Imagine a student who thinks they're too smart for group work but finally deigns to participate, as if helping their teammates is beneath them. Or picture someone who usually ignores others suddenly deigning to acknowledge you with a brief nod, as though your existence barely registers.

Deign often appears in descriptions of people acting haughty or self-important. You might read that a king “deigned to speak with his subjects” or that someone “wouldn't deign to explain themselves.” The word itself suggests looking down from a height, like someone on a throne reluctantly noticing the people below.

When you encounter deign in writing, pay attention: the author is usually pointing out that someone thinks rather too highly of themselves.