Disdain is a feeling of scorn or contempt for something you consider beneath you or unworthy of respect. When you feel disdain for something, you don't just dislike it: you look down on it with a kind of cold superiority.

You might observe disdain when a student who excels at math shows contempt for classmates who struggle, treating their questions as stupid or beneath notice. A person who grew up wealthy might regard people with less money with disdain, as if having money makes them better.

The word can be a noun or a verb. A chess champion might disdain playing against beginners, considering it a waste of time. A talented musician might regard simple songs with disdain, thinking them unworthy of their skill.

Disdain has a cold, haughty quality. It's not hot anger or loud mockery: it's more like an icy dismissal, as if the thing isn't even worth acknowledging. Someone showing disdain might raise an eyebrow, turn away, or speak in a tone that makes clear they think very little of whatever they're discussing.