adjective
Other Word 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.
Contemptible as a regard founded only on compassion must make them both in my eyes, I felt by no means assured that such might not be the consequence.
From Lady Susan by Austen, Jane
Fools! they shall find this wall which they have raised Too weak to check my course, a feeble guard Contemptible; such also is the trench;205 My steeds shall slight it with an easy leap.
From The Iliad of Homer Translated into English Blank Verse by William Cowper by Cowper, William
A gallant Contemptible has been complaining to me that the Press shows no sense of proportion in the space that it allots to air-raids.
From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 153, October 3, 1917 by Various
Contemptible in numbers, shipping and appointments, the concentrated opposition of even a few petty chiefs could have scattered them to the winds, or sent them "howling to their gods".
From Ridgeway An Historical Romance of the Fenian Invasion of Canada by Dubh, Scian
King: Though I admit that forcible term "Contemptible worm," Appeals to me most strongly, To treat this pest As you suggest Would pain my Majesty greatly.
From The Complete Plays of Gilbert and Sullivan by Gilbert, W. S. (William Schwenck), Sir
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.
