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.
The former Prince Andrew is a contemptible figure.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 2026
Councillors in the area have described the attack as "contemptible" and "a senseless act of intimidation".
From BBC • Oct. 21, 2025
That’s of course contemptible, but it’s also a complete lie.
From Salon • Sep. 29, 2024
Another contemptible little practice is “wardrobing,” wearing an item of clothing once before returning it, like a manipulative DIY twist on Rent the Runway.
From Seattle Times • Jan. 16, 2024
Luther Martin, on the other hand, came out against the Constitution on the grounds that the protections afforded slavery render us contemptible to every true friend of liberty in the world.”
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
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.
