comtempous
He gave a contemptuous look, showing he thought I was not worth his time.
Explanation at your level:
This word is for advanced learners. It means you think someone is not good. You act like you are the boss. You do not like them at all.
When you are contemptuous, you act like you are better than others. It is a mean way to behave. People use this word when they are very angry or think someone is bad.
This adjective describes a person who shows no respect. If you are contemptuous of a rule, you think the rule is silly and you don't care about it. It is a formal word used to describe someone who is being rude and arrogant.
Contemptuous implies a deep, icy disdain. It is more than just being rude; it is a calculated display of superiority. You might see a contemptuous smile on a villain's face in a movie. It is often used in literature to show a character's arrogance.
In advanced English, contemptuous is used to describe a specific type of social or moral judgment. It suggests that the speaker has evaluated the target and found them completely lacking in value. It is frequently used in political or social commentary to describe policies or actions that disregard the needs of others.
At the mastery level, contemptuous carries the weight of historical and moral judgment. It is the linguistic embodiment of 'scorn.' When used in literary analysis, it highlights the power dynamics between characters, where one party asserts dominance by stripping the other of their dignity. It is a precise tool for describing the intersection of pride and hostility.
الكلمة في 30 ثانية
- Adjective meaning showing deep disdain.
- Often paired with the preposition 'of'.
- Commonly used in formal or literary contexts.
- Do not confuse with 'contemptible'.
When someone is contemptuous, they aren't just annoyed—they are looking down on someone from a position of perceived superiority. It is a very strong word that suggests you view the other person or thing as completely worthless.
Think of it as the ultimate 'I am better than you' attitude. It is often displayed through a sneer, a roll of the eyes, or a dismissive comment. Using this word tells people that the subject is not just angry, but actively showing disdain.
The word contemptuous comes from the Latin word contemnere, which means 'to scorn' or 'to despise.' It combines com- (an intensive prefix) with temnere (to slight or scorn).
It entered English in the 14th century, evolving from Old French. Historically, it was used to describe people who showed a lack of respect for authority or divine law. Over time, it shifted to describe any situation where one person feels they are socially or morally superior to another.
You should use contemptuous in formal writing or when describing intense interpersonal conflicts. It is not a casual word; you wouldn't say your friend is 'contemptuous' just because they didn't like your movie choice.
Commonly, it appears with nouns like look, smile, laugh, or tone. It is often paired with the preposition of, as in 'contemptuous of authority' or 'contemptuous of the rules.'
While there isn't a single idiom using the word, it is closely linked to expressions like 'turn up one's nose' (to show disdain) or 'look down one's nose' (to act superior). Another related concept is 'adding insult to injury', which often happens when a contemptuous remark follows a failure.
We also use 'with a sneer' to describe the physical act of being contemptuous. Finally, 'beneath one's dignity' is a classic way to explain the mindset of someone who is being contemptuous toward a task or person.
Contemptuous is an adjective. It is pronounced /kənˈtemptʃuəs/ (US) or /kənˈtemptʃuəs/ (UK). The stress is on the second syllable: con-TEMP-tu-ous.
It rhymes with words like tempestuous. It is not a verb, so you cannot 'contemptuous' someone; instead, you must use the verb phrase 'to show contempt for' or 'to treat with contempt.'
Fun Fact
It shares a root with the word 'contemn', which is almost never used today.
Pronunciation Guide
con-TEMP-choo-us
con-TEMP-choo-us
Common Errors
- Missing the 'p' sound
- Misplacing the stress
- Adding extra syllables
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Academic
Formal
Advanced
Advanced
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
متقدم
Grammar to Know
Adjective usage
He is contemptuous.
Preposition usage
Contemptuous of.
Adverb formation
Contemptuously.
Examples by Level
He was contemptuous.
He acted mean.
Adjective usage.
She gave him a contemptuous look.
He was contemptuous of the rules.
They had a contemptuous attitude.
Don't be so contemptuous.
His laugh was contemptuous.
The teacher saw his contemptuous behavior.
It was a contemptuous remark.
She felt contemptuous.
He was contemptuous of the new laws.
She gave a contemptuous shrug.
His tone was entirely contemptuous.
They treated the poor with contemptuous disregard.
The critic wrote a contemptuous review.
She couldn't hide her contemptuous feelings.
He gave a contemptuous wave of his hand.
The villain offered a contemptuous smirk.
He was contemptuous of anyone who disagreed with him.
The politician made a contemptuous comment about the voters.
She felt a contemptuous pity for her rival.
His contemptuous silence spoke volumes.
They were contemptuous of the traditional customs.
The judge gave a contemptuous look at the defendant.
It was a deeply contemptuous display of arrogance.
She was contemptuous of his lack of effort.
His contemptuous dismissal of the evidence was shocking.
She maintained a contemptuous distance from the rest of the group.
The essay provided a contemptuous critique of modern art.
He spoke with a contemptuous sneer that chilled the room.
They were contemptuous of the very idea of compromise.
Her contemptuous attitude toward the staff was well-known.
He offered a contemptuous laugh at the suggestion.
The document was written in a contemptuous tone.
The author’s contemptuous portrayal of the aristocracy was scathing.
He displayed a contemptuous indifference to the suffering of others.
The king gave a contemptuous wave, dismissing the envoy.
She felt a cold, contemptuous rage building within her.
His contemptuous disregard for protocol led to his downfall.
The critique was not merely negative; it was utterly contemptuous.
She viewed the entire process with a contemptuous eye.
They were contemptuous of the moral hypocrisy they witnessed.
المرادفات
الأضداد
تلازمات شائعة
Idioms & Expressions
"look down one's nose"
to act superior
She looks down her nose at everyone.
casual"turn up one's nose"
to reject with disdain
He turned up his nose at the food.
casual"with a sneer"
contemptuous expression
He said it with a sneer.
neutral"beneath one's dignity"
too low for someone
That is beneath my dignity.
formal"give the cold shoulder"
to ignore/disdain
She gave me the cold shoulder.
casual"hold in contempt"
to view as worthless
I hold his opinion in contempt.
formalEasily Confused
Similar root.
Contemptible = deserving contempt; Contemptuous = showing contempt.
His actions were contemptible; he was contemptuous.
Noun vs adjective.
Contempt is the feeling; contemptuous is the description.
He felt contempt; he was contemptuous.
Similar spelling.
Contentious = argumentative.
A contentious issue.
Adverb vs adjective.
Adverb describes an action.
He laughed contemptuously.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + be + contemptuous + of + noun
He is contemptuous of the rules.
Contemptuous + noun
She gave a contemptuous look.
Subject + verb + contemptuously
He spoke contemptuously.
It was a contemptuous + noun
It was a contemptuous act.
Subject + feel + contemptuous
She felt contemptuous.
عائلة الكلمة
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
مرتبط
How to Use It
6
Formality Scale
أخطاء شائعة
Missing the 'n' and 't' sounds.
Do not add 'to'.
It is an adjective.
Use the preposition 'of'.
Noun vs adjective confusion.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a judge looking down from a high bench.
Native Usage
Used when describing villains or arrogant people.
Cultural Insight
Often used in British literature.
Grammar Shortcut
Always follow with 'of' + noun.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'temp' syllable.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't write 'comtempous'.
Did You Know?
It comes from Latin.
Study Smart
Learn it with 'contempt'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Con-TEMPT-uous: You are TEMPTED to look down on others.
Visual Association
A person with their nose in the air.
Word Web
تحدٍّ
Use the word in a sentence about a movie villain.
أصل الكلمة
Latin
Original meaning: To scorn or slight
السياق الثقافي
Highly offensive if directed at someone personally.
Often used in legal contexts ('contempt of court') or literature.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at work
- contemptuous tone
- contemptuous disregard
- contemptuous attitude
in literature
- contemptuous sneer
- contemptuous laugh
- contemptuous silence
in debate
- contemptuous of the argument
- contemptuous dismissal
in social settings
- contemptuous look
- contemptuous gesture
Conversation Starters
"Have you ever seen someone act in a contemptuous way?"
"Why do you think people become contemptuous?"
"Is it ever okay to be contemptuous of someone?"
"How does a contemptuous tone change a conversation?"
"Can you describe a character who is contemptuous?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you felt contemptuous.
Write about a character who is contemptuous of others.
How would you react to a contemptuous person?
Is contempt always a bad thing?
الأسئلة الشائعة
8 أسئلةNo, it is an adjective.
C-O-N-T-E-M-P-T-U-O-U-S.
Only if you are being very rude.
Contempt.
Contemptuously.
No, it is very negative.
No, contemptible means 'deserving' of contempt.
It is common in books and formal speech.
اختبر نفسك
He gave a ___ look.
It describes the look.
Which means to look down on someone?
Definition match.
Contemptuous is a verb.
It is an adjective.
Word
المعنى
Synonym match.
Correct grammar order.
النتيجة: /5
Summary
Contemptuous means to look down on someone with a feeling of superiority and scorn.
- Adjective meaning showing deep disdain.
- Often paired with the preposition 'of'.
- Commonly used in formal or literary contexts.
- Do not confuse with 'contemptible'.
Memory Palace
Imagine a judge looking down from a high bench.
Native Usage
Used when describing villains or arrogant people.
Cultural Insight
Often used in British literature.
Grammar Shortcut
Always follow with 'of' + noun.
مثال
She gave him a contemptuous look when he suggested they eat fast food for their anniversary.
Related Content
مزيد من كلمات Emotions
frustrated
A1الشعور بالإحباط يأتي عندما لا تستطيع تحقيق شيء ما. تشعر بالضيق وخيبة الأمل.
antigrathood
C1The state, condition, or persistent quality of being ungrateful or actively resisting the expression of gratitude. It refers to a psychological or social disposition where an individual or group refuses to acknowledge the benefits or kindness received from others.
ashamed
A1To feel very bad or embarrassed because you have done something wrong, silly, or not good enough. It is the feeling of guilt or low self-esteem that comes after a mistake.
cheerful
A1الشخص المبتهج هو من يبدو سعيداً ومتفائلاً دائماً. يمكنك أيضاً وصف الأماكن بأنها مبتهجة إذا كانت مشرقة ومريحة للنفس.
uncomfortable
A1Describes a physical feeling of slight pain or a mental feeling of being worried or shy. It is often used for things that are not soft or for situations that make you feel awkward.
desperate
B2الشعور باليأس التام تجاه موقف معين لا يمكن إصلاحه، أو الحاجة الماسة والملحة للحصول على شيء ما.
unfortdom
C1Describing a state or condition characterized by an overwhelming and seemingly inescapable lack of luck or resilience. It is used to qualify situations or individuals trapped in a persistent cycle of misfortune or systemic disadvantage.
stirring
B1صفة لشيء يثير مشاعر قوية كالحماس أو الإعجاب. أو اسم لبداية شعور أو حركة.
furious
A1الغضب الشديد يعني أن تكون غاضبًا للغاية. هذا شعور أقوى بكثير من مجرد الانزعاج.
broody
B2Describes someone who is deep in thought, often in a moody or melancholic way. It is also commonly used to describe someone who feels a strong, instinctive desire to have a baby or is acting in a maternal/paternal way.
