adjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of contemptible
1350–1400; Middle English (< Middle French ) < Late Latin contemptibilis, equivalent to contempt ( us ) ( see contempt) + -ibilis -ible
Explanation
Someone or something that's contemptible receives harsh judgment and deserves it. Your desire to bring to justice the contemptible coward who stole your last chocolate bar seemed noble, until you realized you'd eaten it the night before. Contemptible means "worthy of contempt," and is one of several words of its kind that end with -ible rather than -able, which would mean something more like "capable of contempt," (and isn't a word). You could remember that “I find it contemptible!” begins with “I.” If you don't, some will consider your spelling errors to be minor offenses, while others will declare them . . . contemptible!
Vocabulary lists containing contemptible
Animal Farm
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Things Fall Apart
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Even More Negative Words to Describe a Person
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
This so enraged the king, that he cried out, "Contemptible creature! wert thou worthy of notice, I would sacrifice thee for thy presumption."
From The Fairy Book The Best Popular Stories Selected and Rendered Anew by Craik, Dinah Maria Mulock
Contemptible though they are, even the reptiles give praise unto their Creator.
From The Legends of the Jews — Volume 1 by Szold, Henrietta
Contemptible as Charles was and doubtless deserving of his impending punishment, she would not aid in his apprehension.
From Otherwise Phyllis by Gibson, Charles Dana
Contemptible, because he's such a sham; as if everybody didn't know his history and his circumstances!'
From Demos by Gissing, George
Contemptible details these, to make part of a history; yet the turn of most lives is hardly to be accounted for without them.
From Daniel Deronda by Eliot, George
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
