Contemptible Meaning
/kənˈtɛmptəbəl/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
adjDeserving contempt.
adjCarrying or having contempt; contemptuous.
Sentence Examples
A man who smacks his wife around is contemptible.
Nothing is more contemptible than respect that is based on fear.
CEFR Practice Quiz
His ____ behavior of stealing from the charity disgusted everyone who heard about it.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
A man who smacks his wife around is ____.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English contemptible, from Latin contemptibilis.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"But a Devil came in juſt in the God-ſpeed, and told them; Gentlemen Philoſophers, (ſays he) if you vvould knovv the VVretched'ſt, and moſt contemptible thing in the VVorld; It is an Alchymiſt: […]"
— 1667, Francisco de Quevedo Villegas, “The Sixth Vision of Hell”, in R[oger] L[’Estrange], transl., The Visions of Dom Francisco de Quevedo Villegas, […], London: […] H[enry] Herringman […], →OCLC, page 247:
"Miss Ward's match, indeed, when it came to the point, was not contemptible: Sir Thomas being happily able to give his friend an income in the living of Mansfield […]"
— 1814 May 9, [Jane Austen], chapter I, in Mansfield Park: […], volume I, London: […] [George Sidney] for T[homas] Egerton, […], →OCLC, page 2:
"And they are dangerous because when worn they make their wearer look ridiculous and contemptible to those not enthralled by the same fashion; and when their moment has passed they take up precious closet space, taunting you and making you lament of money that should have been spent on something more longevous."
— 2006, Nicholas Antongiavanni [pseudonym; Michael Anton], The Suit: A Machiavellian Approach to Men's Style, New York: HarperCollins Publishers, →ISBN, →OCLC, page 52:
"One of the above petitioners had frequently praised Edward in the presence of Robert; but it was evidently disliked by the latter, and always drew from him some contemptible remark reflecting on the humility of his origin."
— 1846, The Cooper's Son:
"But what a contemptible notion must he entertain of this House!"
— 1874, John Campbell, Lives of the Lord Chancellors and Keepers of the Great Seal of England, volume 5:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
His ____ behavior of stealing from the charity disgusted everyone who heard about it.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
A man who smacks his wife around is ____.