condescending

[Irene1972]

Can anyone give me definition of this word - condescending? Dictionaries and my English-speaking frineds all give differnt definitions. Is it different in British and American English?

[nickcsadler]

I guess the simplest explanation is behaving in a patronising way..putting the other person down..behaving as if you are superior...

[Irene1972]

So, the meaning is mostly negative? Thta's funny because my dictionary explains it as behaving with sb inferior to you as with equal. Funny, isnt' it? Just don't know how poor Ukrainian can learn the language with such dictionaries. Well, I also have Collins cobuild Maybe, this one will be better? Supposed to be a very good one.
Thank you, anyway.

[GypsyJoker]

Yes, condescending is negative.

Basically, condescending is an attitude. It's mainly used to describe how another person is speaking to you. They are talking down to you, like your hardly worth talking to at all. And like Nick said acting as if you are better than the person you are speaking to.

**Edit**
If you have more questions regarding the English language you can email me at gypsy@swg-dea.net and I'll do what I can.

[Irene1972]

Thank you very much GypsyJoker. I have lots adn lots of questions but don't feel confident enough to post at least some of them online. All in all my questions will never end.
I will certainly e-mail you with my questions. DO you live in America? Just to know what English you speak.

[GypsyJoker]

Yep, I live in the US. To clear things up, I belive the best way to tell the difference between the two english languages (UK and US) would be the queens english (uk) and just plain english (us).

Although my definitions may be a bit off, I'm sure someone from the UK could chime in

[Irene1972]

thanks again