pejoratív

Pejoratív is a linguistic term used to label a word, expression, or linguistic form that conveys negative evaluation or contempt toward a person, object, or group. In most languages, pejoratives stand in contrast to neutral or positive terms and are often marked by insulting, demeaning, or belittling force. They can target attributes such as social status, behavior, occupation, ethnicity, gender, or other characteristics, and they can appear as adjectives, nouns, or verbs used with negative pragmatic force.

Etymology: The word derives from the French péjoratif, from Latin pejor “worse.” In grammar and lexicography, pejoratives are described as a semantic-pragmatic category rather than a fixed part of speech. The label is used to describe lexical items that carry a negative evaluative meaning, regardless of their formal class in a sentence.

Usage: In formal writing, pejoratives are typically avoided; in sociolinguistics they are studied for their social effects, including stigma, power relations, and style. Some pejoratives may be reclaimed by the groups targeted by them, which can shift their social weight over time. The interpretation of a term as pejorative can depend on context, speaker intention, audience, and cultural norms.

Examples: Pejoratives can take the form of adjectives used insultingly (for example, describing someone as lazy or cowardly), as nouns (such as terms that belittle a person or group), or as verbs used with contempt. The same word can be neutral in one context and pejorative in another, illustrating the importance of pragmatics in determining connotation.