[Vocabulary] deride vs ridicule vs scoff at vs mock vs make fun of vs poke fun at

Status
Not open for further replies.

m5000

Member
Joined
Nov 21, 2010
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Polish
Home Country
Poland
Current Location
Poland
Is there any difference between these words in terms of their formality, usage and meaning:

deride / ridicule / scoff at / mock / make fun of / poke fun at

Are there any other verbs that mean the same or similar?

thanks
 

SoothingDave

VIP Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2009
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
That's a lot of words to try to explain.

I will tell you that "derision" is not light-hearted. There's an element of contempt that is not necessarily there if you are just "poking fun" at someone.

You may poke fun at or make fun of your friends. You may ridicule or scoff at their ideas. But you wouldn't deride your friends.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top