derog.
Writing & Everyday abbreviation · Grammar and Dictionary
| Stands for | Derogatory |
|---|---|
| Categories | Writing & Everyday |
derog. stands for Derogatory, a grammar and dictionary abbreviation.
Warns that a word or sense expresses contempt or disapproval and may offend, as with many terms for groups of people. Dictionaries add the label so users understand a word's social force.
Example: bureaucrat (n.) an official in a government department, often derog., implying rigid, rule-bound behavior
Usage notes
Related labels include pejorative, offensive and disparaging, chosen according to how strong the negative force is. A word may be neutral in one sense and derogatory in another. Lexicographers record such words because readers need to recognize them, not to endorse them.