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abject

ab·ject
A a

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [ab-jekt, ab-jekt]
    • /ˈæb dʒɛkt, æbˈdʒɛkt/
    • /ˈæb.dʒekt/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [ab-jekt, ab-jekt]
    • /ˈæb dʒɛkt, æbˈdʒɛkt/

Definitions of abject word

  • adjective abject You use abject to emphasize that a situation or quality is extremely bad. 3
  • graded adjective abject If you describe someone as abject, you think they have no courage or respect for themselves. 3
  • adjective abject utterly wretched or hopeless 3
  • adjective abject miserable; forlorn; dejected 3
  • adjective abject indicating humiliation; submissive 3
  • adjective abject contemptible; despicable; servile 3

Information block about the term

Origin of abject

First appearance:

before 1400
One of the 24% oldest English words
1400-50; late Middle English < Latin abjectus thrown down (past participle of abicere, abjicere), equivalent to ab- ab- + -jec- throw + -tus past participle suffix

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Abject

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

abject popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 80% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.

abject usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for abject

adj abject

  • wretched — very unfortunate in condition or circumstances; miserable; pitiable.
  • base — The base of something is its lowest edge or part.
  • contemptible — If you feel that someone or something is contemptible, you feel strong dislike and disrespect for them.
  • degraded — disgraced, debased, depraved, etc.
  • dejected — If you are dejected, you feel miserable or unhappy, especially because you have just been disappointed by something.

adjective abject

  • hopeless — providing no hope; beyond optimism or hope; desperate: a hopeless case of cancer.
  • dismal — causing gloom or dejection; gloomy; dreary; cheerless; melancholy: dismal weather.
  • horrible — causing or tending to cause horror; shockingly dreadful: a horrible sight.
  • gloomy — dark or dim; deeply shaded: gloomy skies.
  • utter — to give audible expression to; speak or pronounce: unable to utter her feelings; Words were uttered in my hearing.

noun abject

  • scurvy — Pathology. a disease marked by swollen and bleeding gums, livid spots on the skin, prostration, etc., due to a diet lacking in vitamin C.
  • low-down — If someone gives you the low-down on a person or thing, they tell you all the important information about them.

Antonyms for abject

adj abject

  • commendable — If you describe someone's behaviour as commendable, you approve of it or are praising it.
  • magnificent — making a splendid appearance or show; of exceptional beauty, size, etc.: a magnificent cathedral; magnificent scenery.
  • worthy — having adequate or great merit, character, or value: a worthy successor.
  • noble — distinguished by rank or title.
  • proud — feeling pleasure or satisfaction over something regarded as highly honorable or creditable to oneself (often followed by of, an infinitive, or a clause).

Top questions with abject

  • what does abject mean?
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  • how to use abject in a sentence?
  • which of the following adjectives would replace the word abject?
  • what is the definition of abject?
  • what is the meaning of abject?
  • what does the word abject mean?
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See also

Matching words

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