# defy

> English word · Verb · IPA /dɪˈfaɪ/ · frequency rank #16,683

## Definitions
1. To challenge (someone) or brave (a hazard or opposition).
2. To refuse to obey.
3. To not conform to or follow a pattern, set of rules or expectations.
4. To renounce or dissolve all bonds of affiance, faith, or obligation with; to reject, refuse, or renounce.

## Etymology
From Old French desfier, from Vulgar Latin *disfidare (“renounce one's faith”), from Latin dis- (“away”) + fidus (“faithful”). Meaning shifted in the 14th century from "be disloyal" to "challenge". Contrast confide, fidelity, faith.

## Easily confused with
- **dy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defy-vs-dy)
- **dry** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defy-vs-dry)
- **del** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defy-vs-del)
- **Des** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defy-vs-des)
- **der** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defy-vs-der)
- **den** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defy-vs-den)
- **dem** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defy-vs-dem)
- **DIY** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defy-vs-diy)
- **dev** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defy-vs-dev)
- **dew** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defy-vs-dew)
- **DEI** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defy-vs-dei)
- **dex** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defy-vs-dex)
- **dey** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defy-vs-dey)
- **deo** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defy-vs-deo)
- **dep** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defy-vs-dep)
- **DFW** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defy-vs-dfw)
- **DFS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defy-vs-dfs)
- **dif** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defy-vs-dif)
- **duty** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defy-vs-duty)
- **desk** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defy-vs-desk)

## Common misspellings (6)
`ddefy`, `deffy`, `defyy`, `deyf`, `dfey`, `edfy`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/defy