# deny

> English word · Verb · IPA /dɪˈnaɪ/ · frequency rank #4,013

## Definitions
1. To disallow or reject.
2. To assert that something is not true.
3. To refuse to give or grant something to someone.
4. To take something away from someone; to deprive of.
5. To prevent from scoring.
6. To disclaim connection with, responsibility for, etc.; to refuse to acknowledge; to disown; to abjure; to disavow.
7. To refuse (to do or accept something).

## Etymology
From Middle English denyen, from Old French denoier (“to deny, to repudiate”) (French dénier), from Latin denegare (“to deny, to refuse”), from de- (“away”) and negare (“to refuse”), the latter ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *né (“no, not”). Doublet of denegate.

## Easily confused with
- **dy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/deny-vs-dy)
- **dry** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/deny-vs-dry)
- **don** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/deny-vs-don)
- **DNA** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/deny-vs-dna)
- **Des** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/deny-vs-des)
- **der** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/deny-vs-der)
- **DIY** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/deny-vs-diy)
- **dev** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/deny-vs-dev)
- **DNC** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/deny-vs-dnc)
- **DIN** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/deny-vs-din)
- **dew** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/deny-vs-dew)
- **dun** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/deny-vs-dun)
- **dex** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/deny-vs-dex)
- **dey** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/deny-vs-dey)
- **deo** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/deny-vs-deo)
- **dep** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/deny-vs-dep)
- **DNR** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/deny-vs-dnr)
- **DnB** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/deny-vs-dnb)
- **DNP** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/deny-vs-dnp)
- **done** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/deny-vs-done)

## Common misspellings (6)
`ddeny`, `denny`, `denyy`, `deyn`, `dney`, `edny`

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