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.
The emperor asked him what sort of speech Moreau had made: "Contemptible," said he.
From Ten Years' Exile Memoirs of That Interesting Period of the Life of the Baroness De Stael-Holstein, Written by Herself, during the Years 1810, 1811, 1812, and 1813, and Now First Published from the Original Manuscript, by Her Son. by Stael-Holstein, Auguste Louis Baron de
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
Kauppi, a Laplander, skilled in making snowshoes.Keitolainen, the Contemptible One, one of the names of the Evil Power.Kemi, name of a river.Kimmo,
From Kalevala, The Land of the Heroes, Volume Two by Lönnrot, Elias
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 wretch!" exclaimed Nucingen, drawing himself up in financial majesty.
From Scenes from a Courtesan's Life by Balzac, Honoré de
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.
