How Do You Spell DEFY?

Pronunciation: [dɪfˈa͡ɪ] (IPA)

The word "defy" is a verb that means to openly resist or challenge someone or something. The spelling of this word is reflected in its International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription, which is pronounced as /dɪˈfaɪ/. This means that the first syllable is pronounced with a short "i" sound, followed by a stressed "a" sound. The final sound is a long "i" sound, indicating the word ends in a diphthong. Overall, the spelling of "defy" represents its pronunciation well, making it a fairly easy word to spell correctly.

Meaning and Definition
Top Common Misspellings
Other Common Misspellings
Etymology
Idioms
Similar spelling words
Conjugate verb
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DEFY Meaning and Definition

  1. Defy is a verb with multiple meanings depending on the context. It is predominantly used to describe resistance to authority or convention, demonstrating opposition or refusal to obey rules, orders, or expectations. It implies a deliberate and intentional act of disobedience or rebellion. Defiance is often driven by a strong conviction or opposition to something perceived as unjust, immoral, or unreasonable.

    In a broader sense, defy can also refer to challenging or surpassing limits, expectations, or odds. It implies a daring or audacious approach to achieve or accomplish something that others consider difficult or impossible. This can apply to personal achievements, overcoming obstacles, or pushing boundaries in various aspects of life.

    Defy can also be used to describe openly confronting or standing up against someone or something, particularly in a confrontational or provocative manner. It implies a bold and confrontational attitude, with the intention of showing strength or asserting one's power over the situation.

    Furthermore, defy can be employed to describe the act of proving to be false or invalidating a claim or assertion. This suggests providing evidence or counterarguments that contradict an established belief or idea, challenging its validity or accuracy.

    Overall, defy encompasses a range of actions, from rebellion and opposition to audacity and surpassing limitations, ultimately capturing the essence of challenging norms, rules, or expectations in various contexts.

  2. • Defied.
    • To dare; to brave; to treat with contempt; to challenge; to invite one to a contest.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for DEFY *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for DEFY

Etymology of DEFY

The word "defy" comes from the Old French word "defier", which originated from the Vulgar Latin word "disfidare". This Latin term is a combination of two components: "dis", meaning "away" or "apart", and "fidare", meaning "to trust" or "to have faith". Therefore, the etymology of "defy" suggests the meaning of "to challenge" or "to refuse to submit" by literally removing or breaking trust or faith.

Idioms with the word DEFY

  • I defy you/anyone to do something The idiom "I defy you/anyone to do something" means to challenge or provoke someone to attempt a task, often implying that it is difficult or impossible to accomplish. It is a strong expression of disbelief in someone's capabilities or doubting the likelihood of an outcome.

Similar spelling words for DEFY

Conjugate verb Defy

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have defied
you would have defied
he/she/it would have defied
we would have defied
they would have defied
I would have defy
you would have defy
he/she/it would have defy
we would have defy
they would have defy

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been defying
you would have been defying
he/she/it would have been defying
we would have been defying
they would have been defying

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would defy
you would defy
he/she/it would defy
we would defy
they would defy

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be defying
you would be defying
he/she/it would be defying
we would be defying
they would be defying

FUTURE

I will defy
you will defy
he/she/it will defy
we will defy
they will defy

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be defying
you will be defying
he/she/it will be defying
we will be defying
they will be defying

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have defied
you will have defied
he/she/it will have defied
we will have defied
they will have defied

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been defying
you will have been defying
he/she/it will have been defying
we will have been defying
they will have been defying

IMPERATIVE

you defy
we let´s defy

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to defy

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was defying
you were defying
he/she/it was defying
we were defying
they were defying

PAST PARTICIPLE

defied

PAST PERFECT

I had defied
you had defied
he/she/it had defied
we had defied
they had defied

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been defying
you had been defying
he/she/it had been defying
we had been defying
they had been defying

PRESENT

I defy
you defy
he/she/it defies
we defy
they defy

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am defying
you are defying
he/she/it is defying
we are defying
they are defying

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

defying

PRESENT PERFECT

I have defied
you have defied
he/she/it has defied
we have defied
they have defied

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been defying
you have been defying
he/she/it has been defying
we have been defying
they have been defying

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it defy

SIMPLE PAST

I defied
you defied
he/she/it defied
we defied
they defied

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Correct spelling for defy
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