/ dɪˈnaɪ; NAmE / verb ( de·nies , deny·ing , de·nied , de·nied )
1.
to say that sth is not true :
[ vn ]
to deny a claim / a charge / an accusation
The spokesman refused either to confirm or deny the reports.
There's no denying (the fact) that quicker action could have saved them.
[ v -ing ]
He denies attempting to murder his wife.
[ v ( that )]
She denied (that) there had been any cover-up.
[ vn that ]
It can't be denied that we need to devote more resources to this problem.
2.
[ vn ] to refuse to admit or accept sth :
She denied all knowledge of the incident.
The department denies responsibility for what occurred.
3.
deny sth (to sb) | deny (sb) (sth) ( formal ) to refuse to allow sb to have sth that they want or ask for :
[ vnn , vn ]
They were denied access to the information.
Access to the information was denied to them.
4.
[ vn ] deny yourself (sth) ( formal ) to refuse to let yourself have sth that you would like to have, especially for moral or religious reasons
••
WORD FAMILY
deny verb
denial noun
undeniable adjective
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French deni- , stressed stem of deneier , from Latin denegare , from de- formally + negare say no.