Basic Details
Word: Disgraceful
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Very bad or shameful; something that causes people to feel ashamed.
Synonyms: Shameful, scandalous, unacceptable
Antonyms: Praiseworthy, commendable, respectable
Idioms and Phrases
- A disgrace to the family: Used to describe someone whose actions bring shame to their family. Example: "After getting in trouble at school, he felt he was a disgrace to the family."
- Disgrace yourself: To behave in a way that brings shame upon oneself. Example: "She didn't want to disgrace herself by forgetting the speech she had practiced for weeks."
Usage Examples
Example 1: It was disgraceful to see how the team behaved after losing the match, blaming others instead of taking responsibility.
Example 2: His disgraceful conduct at the party led to him being uninvited from future gatherings.
Example 3: The report highlighted the disgraceful treatment of animals at the shelter, prompting calls for change.
Fun Fact
The word "disgrace" comes from the Latin word "gratia," which means grace or favour. When something is "disgraced," it loses its grace or honour, becoming a term associated with shame.
Famous Quote
"In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun, and snap! The job's a game." - Mary Poppins (though she refers to positive attributes, it reminds us that disgraceful behaviour can be unpleasant and hard to hide).
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "disgraceful" mean?
a) Happy and cheerful
b) Very good or admirable
c) Very bad or shameful
d) Exciting and fun
Answer: c) Very bad or shameful
2. Which of these is a synonym of "disgraceful"?
a) Honourable
b) Shameful
c) Respectable
d) Familiar
Answer: b) Shameful
3. Which word is an antonym of "disgraceful"?
a) Scandalous
b) Commendable
c) Outrageous
d) Unacceptable
Answer: b) Commendable
4. Which sentence uses "disgraceful" correctly?
a) The dog's behaviour was disgraceful at the dog show.
b) The kids played a disgraceful game in the park.
c) She wore a disgraceful dress to the party.
d) The food was disgraceful and delicious at the restaurant.
Answer: a) The dog's behaviour was disgraceful at the dog show.
5. Which idiom means to bring shame upon oneself?
a) A disgrace to the family
b) Take the cake
c) All in good time
d) Jumping on the bandwagon
Answer: a) A disgrace to the family
