Pejorative

A pejorative (also called a derogatory term,^[1] a slur, a term of disparagement) is a word or grammatical form of expressing a negative term of someone or something, showing a lack of respect for someone or something.^[2]

It is also used to express criticism, hostility, or disregard.

Sometimes, a term is seen as pejorative in some social or ethnic groups but not in others, or may be originally pejorative and eventually be adopted in a non-pejorative sense.

1. ↑ "Definition of derogatory". Merriam Webster. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
2. ↑ "Pejorative | Define Pejorative at Dictionary.com". Dictionary.reference.com. Retrieved 2012-04-25.