umbrage

[ uhm-brij ]

noun

1. offense; annoyance; displeasure:

   to feel umbrage at a social snub; to give umbrage to someone; to take umbrage at someone's rudeness.

   Synonyms: resentment, grudge, pic

2. the slightest indication or vaguest feeling of suspicion, doubt, hostility, or the like.
3. leaves that afford shade, as the foliage of trees.
4. shade or shadows, as cast by trees.
5. a shadowy appearance or semblance of something.

umbrage

/ ˈʌmbrɪdʒ /

noun

1. displeasure or resentment; offence (in the phrase give or take umbrage )
2. the foliage of trees, considered as providing shade
3. rare.
   shadow or shade
4. archaic.
   a shadow or semblance

Word History and Origins

Origin of umbrage¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Old French; umbra, -age

Word History and Origins

Origin of umbrage¹

C15: from Old French umbrage, from Latin umbrāticus relating to shade, from umbra shade, shadow

Example Sentences

Sequeda, for one, would take umbrage at the suggestion that emerging-markets investors are predatory.

From ProPublica

While Takano saw the Goldstein case as bringing attention to an issue championed by Democrats, the secretary took umbrage at his involvement.

From Washington Post

I also suspect you didn’t get far beyond the headline before going umbrage 100 on me.

From Ozy

Some on the Internet took umbrage with your comments to Glamour that your appearance has “never been my moneymaker.”

From The Daily Beast

Mitchell takes umbrage at the notion of being defined by his sexuality.

From The Daily Beast

Bush took umbrage, but got over it; he clearly had enormous regard for Sharon.

From The Daily Beast

But this Romney web video is a total disgrace, featuring this guy from New Hampshire taking umbrage at something Obama never said.

From The Daily Beast

Well, I would take umbrage (a thing at which I excel), but for the fact that Kaufman makes some excellent points.

From The Daily Beast

The vote of the house of lords also alarmed and gave umbrage to Ireland's agitators.

From Project Gutenberg

They had last year imposed a corn-law which gave umbrage to all classes of mercantile men.

From Project Gutenberg

He never made himself a Creature, but always removed and humbled those that ever gave him any Umbrage.

From Project Gutenberg

It would be unjust to take umbrage at the city because one finds none in its avenues.

From Project Gutenberg

It was always done so quietly and pleasantly one could hardly take umbrage.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• annoyance
• displeasure
• offense