disfigure - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
disfigure Word Meanings
- to spoil the appearance of something
- to mar or deform
- to make less attractive
disfigure Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
disfigure Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/dɪsˈfɪgə/
US
/dɪsˈfɪɡjər/
disfigure Word Etymology
Root decomposition: dis- (apart) + figure (form). Historical origin: from Latin 'disfigurare' → Old French 'desfigurer' → English. Memory image: Imagine a beautiful statue that is hit and its form is ruined, showing how something once perfect can be deformed or disfigured.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
Disfigure means to spoil the appearance of something, usually by damage that changes its shape, surface, or features. It implies a visible alteration that is difficult to reverse, and it often carries strong emotional or ethical connotations when describing harm done intentionally or through negligence. You can disfigure a statue, a landscape, or a person’s face, and the change is typically permanent or long lasting. The word sits between general damage and total destruction, signaling a striking, unattractive modification rather than a minor flaw. Etymology note: dis- means apart, figure means form; the term developed through Latin disfigurare and Old French desfigurer before entering English with this sense.
Usage Reminders
- Disfigure is stronger than damage or mar; use with concrete objects; be mindful of permanent connotations; prefer be disfigured for the passive; typically about visible changes; not usually used for abstract concepts.
Common Misconceptions
- It only refers to facial injuries, not landscapes or statues.
- It is interchangeable with 'damage' in all contexts.
- You can use it for abstract ideas like a plan being disfigured.
- Disfigure always implies intentional harm.
- The noun is 'disfigurement' rather than 'disfiguring'.
Thinking Differences
English speakers tend to see disfigure as a strong, often judgmental term tied to visible, permanent change. Other languages may offer separate words for damage vs. cosmetic change, or use passive forms differently, so learners may overgeneralize or understate severity.
Learning Tips
- Remember disfigure is stronger than damage or mar.
- Use with concrete nouns like face, statue, landscape.
- Be aware of the permanency nuance in contexts.
- Practice be disfigured to describe something affected, not just something that is damaged.
- Pair with adverbs to show degree (significantly, permanently).
- Learn related noun disfigurement and adjective disfigured as common forms.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'disfigure'?
A.To embellish or decorate
B.To damage the appearance of something
C.To improve or enhance
D.To clarify or explain
Step 2: Usage
Which sentence uses 'disfigure' correctly?
A.He tried to disfigure the painting with bright colors.
B.The accident did not disfigure her face at all.
C.She was about to disfigure the cake with excessive frosting.
D.The artist intended to disfigure the sculpture in an abstract way.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is most similar to 'disfigure'?
A.Impair
B.Enhance
C.Beautify
D.Restore
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'disfigure'?
A.Improve
B.Destroy
C.Neglect
D.Mar
Step 5: Mastery
Can you think of a real-life context where something is disfigured?
A.A beautiful garden was left untouched after the storm.
B.She arranged the flowers meticulously in a vase.
C.The statue was vandalized and had its features disfigured.
D.The artist worked on enhancing his skills over time.
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