🇬🇧🇨🇳 denial - 否认 : English Lesson

Meaning of "denial" ("否认"), detailed definition, and a short video lesson below.

Denial is the refusal to accept or acknowledge something as true or real. It often involves rejecting facts, evidence, or reality, sometimes as a way to protect oneself from uncomfortable or unpleasant truths.

Watch and listen to this English flashcard to understand the word in more detail, with an easy example sentence.

Tom is in denial about his math test score—he says the teacher must have counted backwards.

The fridge is in denial that it’s broken—it keeps making scary noises but still pretends everything is fine.

Uncle Joe is in denial that he needs directions—he’s been “almost there” for three hours.

Billy is in denial that he lost the video game—he keeps blaming “glitches” and “solar flares.”

My teacher is in denial that school is boring—she calls it “an adventure in learning,” but we call it nap time.

She stared at the shattered vase, mouth tight. Her denial was a whisper: "Not mine." Her denial pressed her hands over the pieces. Her denial sent shards into a box, into a dark closet. Her denial tasted like silence until a child held a shard and said, "It is broken." Denial fell away; she dropped the box and wept.

This word is at the C1 level, which means it’s part of advanced English. It’s used in sophisticated conversations, professional settings, and academic discussions. Words at this level help you express yourself fluently and precisely in nuanced situations.

Expanding your English vocabulary is one of the best ways to improve your pronunciation, spelling, and confidence in English. Watch the video above to memorize the word, understand its meaning, and see example sentences in action. Discover related words to grow your vocabulary naturally. Add words to your playlist for stress-free, effective learning—anytime, anywhere! Watch, learn, repeat.