Complacent Meaning
/kəmˈpleɪsənt/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
adjUncritically satisfied with oneself or one's achievements; smug.
adjUnduly unworried or apathetic with regard to a need or problem.
Sentence Examples
The coach urged his team not to be complacent following their four consecutive wins.
If you knew what I knew, you wouldn't be so complacent.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ____ manager ignored warning signs and missed the quarterly targets.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
We cannot afford to be randomly ____ while our fierce rivals improve.
Word Origin & History
Borrowed from Latin complacēns (“very pleasing”), present participle of complacēre (“to please at the same time, be very pleasing”), from com- (“together”) + placēre (“to please”); see please and compare complaisant.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"England will feel confident but not complacent against Ukraine, and the shock exit of France to Switzerland shows no-one can be taken lightly."
— 2021 June 29, Phil McNulty, “England 2-0 Germany”, in BBC Sport:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ____ manager ignored warning signs and missed the quarterly targets.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
We cannot afford to be randomly ____ while our fierce rivals improve.