adj · noun · 7 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
UK:/kənˈtɛmplətɪv/
UK, rare:/ˈkɒntəmˌpleɪtɪv/
UK:/ˈkɒntəmplətɪv/
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
US:/kənˈtɛmplətɪv/
US, rare:/ˈkɑntəmˌpleɪtɪv/
CMU ARPABET:K AH0 N T EH1 M P L AH0 T IH0 V
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
Inclined to contemplate; introspective and thoughtful; meditative.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
adj
Meaning 2
Pertaining to a religious contemplative, or a contemplative religious orders, especially the Roman Catholic varieties.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
adj
Meaning 3
Relating to, or having the power of, contemplation.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
contemplative faculties
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
adj
Meaning 4
In a phase of mental activity in which one begins to recognize and acknowledge the maladaptiveness of someone's behavior (such as one's own, or that of a family member or friend); usually with reference to substance use.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
