dis

Dis means to disrespect, belittle, or disparage something or someone, usually publicly, as in Zuhair dissed Jamal by telling him his hair looked awful.

Dissing someone isn’t a nice thing to do. It means you’re showing them disrespect by insulting them. A dis can be something hurtful you say or something hurtful you do, like crossing the street when you bump into a former friend.

Example: You’re always dissing that guy, but he isn’t that bad.

The first records of the term dis come from the 1980s. It is an Americanism that comes from the term disrespect or disparage. It is especially common in Black culture and was popularized by hip-hop music.

Dis is usually used to mean “to disrespect a rival or competitor,” though you don’t have to be competing with someone to dis them. When you dis someone, you treat them with contempt. Dissing is frequently done in pop music and dramas, especially on the shows that focus on celebrity gossip. No one likes to be dissed, so it’s best to consider your words and actions first.

What are some other forms related to dis?

• dis (noun)

What are some synonyms for dis?

• disrespect
• disparage
• insult

What are some words that often get used in discussing dis?

• attack
• rudeness
• song
• respect

Dis is used most often in casual conversation and pop culture.

I heard Drake had more bars dissing me that were removed

— ye (@kanyewest) December 14, 2018

Sneak dissing ain’t gone get you on it’s gone get you clapped 🥶

— THE VOICE (@lildurk) July 17, 2020

Someone who thought I was dissing Beyonce this weekend referred to me as Walmart Batman. I’m going to put it in my bio, because I think it’s amazing.

— Stephen Amell (@StephenAmell) April 16, 2018

True or False?

When you dis someone, they’re likely to get upset with you.