adj · 3 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:/kənˈtɛm(p).tʃu.əs/
UK:/kənˈtɛm(p).tʃəs/
UK:/kənˈtɛm(p).tju.əs/
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
US:/kənˈtɛmp.t͡ʃu.əs/
CMU ARPABET:K AH0 N T EH1 M P CH UW0 AH0 S
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
Showing contempt; expressing disdain; showing a lack of respect.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
I don't know that guy, but he just gave me a contemptuous look.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
adj
Meaning 2
Worthy of contempt; contemptible.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: rare
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
adjective satellite
Meaning 3
expressing extreme contempt
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: disdainful, insulting, scornful
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
From Latin contemptus (whence contempt) + -ous.
Across languages
Translations
30 source translations are retained for this English entry.
