Dictionary.com

contemn

[ kuhn-tem ]
/ kənˈtɛm /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for contemn on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object)
to treat or regard with disdain, scorn, or contempt.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
candystring
candyfloss
candypuff
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of contemn

1375–1425; late Middle English contempnen (<Middle French ) <Latin contemnere to despise, scorn, equivalent to con-con- + temnere to slight; see contempt

OTHER WORDS FROM contemn

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH contemn

condemn, contemn
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to contemn

disdain, hate, scorn

How to use contemn in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for contemn

contemn
/ (kənˈtɛm) /
verb
(tr) formal to treat or regard with contempt; scorn

Derived forms of contemn

contemner (kənˈtɛmnə, -ˈtɛmə), nouncontemnible (kənˈtɛmnɪbəl), adjectivecontemnibly, adverb

Word Origin for contemn

C15: from Latin contemnere, from temnere to slight
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
FEEDBACK