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 are both the journeyman writer and his poor day’s work, they have been found worth tracking down on account of the game flown at.
From William Blake A Critical Essay by Swinburne, Algernon Charles
Contemptible as was my plight, and mean as was the cabin I hid in, when he heard I was ill, he came more than once to see me.
From Sir Ludar A Story of the Days of the Great Queen Bess by Reed, Talbot Baines
Contemptible villain, liar and tyrant, I will not reveal to you.
From The Story of Louis Riel: the Rebel Chief by Collins, J. E. (Joseph Edmund)
"Contemptible wretch!" exclaimed Nucingen, drawing himself up in financial majesty.
From Scenes from a Courtesan's Life by Balzac, Honoré de
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
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.
