Dictionary

contemptible en · ADJ

Pronunciation

• (US) audio
• /kənˈtɛmptəbəl/

Etymology

From Middle English contemptible, from Latin contemptibilis. By surface analysis, contempt + -ible.

Meanings

1. Deserving contempt.
   • But a Devil came in juſt in the God-ſpeed, and told them; Gentlemen Philoſophers, (ſays he) if you vvould knovv the VVretched'ſt, and moſt contemptible thing in the VVorld; It is an Alchymiſt: […] 1667, Francisco de Quevedo Villegas, “The Sixth Vision of Hell”, in R[oger] L[’Estrange], transl., The Visions of Dom Francisco de Quevedo Villegas, […], London: […] H[enry] Herringman […], →OCLC, page 247:
   • And they are dangerous because when worn they make their wearer look ridiculous and contemptible to those not enthralled by the same fashion; and when their moment has passed they take up precious closet space, taunting you and making you lament of money that should have been spent on something more longevous. 2006, Nicholas Antongiavanni [pseudonym; Michael Anton], The Suit: A Machiavellian Approach to Men's Style, New York: HarperCollins Publishers, →ISBN, →OCLC, page 52:
   • Miss Ward's match, indeed, when it came to the point, was not contemptible: Sir Thomas being happily able to give his friend an income in the living of Mansfield […] 1814 May 9, [Jane Austen], chapter I, in Mansfield Park: […], volume I, London: […] [George Sidney] for T[homas] Egerton, […], →OCLC, page 2:
2. (obsolete) Carrying or having contempt; contemptuous.
   • Don't use vulgar curses; you should not be contemptible towards the Court. 1882, Bahrāmjī Mehrbānjī Malabārī, anonymous quotee, Gujarát and the Gujarátes:
   • One of the above petitioners had frequently praised Edward in the presence of Robert; but it was evidently disliked by the latter, and always drew from him some contemptible remark reflecting on the humility of his origin. 1846, The Cooper's Son:
   • But what a contemptible notion must he entertain of this House! 1874, John Campbell, Lives of the Lord Chancellors and Keepers of the Great Seal of England, volume 5:

Forms

Antonyms

venerable · respectable

Deriveds

contemptibly · uncontemptible · contemptibility · contemptibleness

Relateds

contemptuous

Synonyms

damnable · slavish · lousy · unsophisticated · execrable · despicable · scornworthy · disdainable · degraded · roynish · uncool · wretched · filthy · deridable · obscene · groveling · despisable · derisible · laughable · scummy · unworthy · sordid · reptitious · vile · dishonorable · unwashed · low · trashy · pitiful · reprehensive · scabbed · inglorious · slimy · uncommendable · cringing · shabby · contemptible · hylic · blameworthy · pathetic · paltry · disgraceful · shit · outrageous · ugly · reptilian · deplorable · beggarly · risible · mean-spirited · ludicrous · dirty · sleazy · mean · punk · worthless · hateworthy · disdainable · vulgar · pitiable · hylical · disreputable · base · despicable · miserable · choical · carrion · loathsome · ignominious · dedecorous · abject · putrid · cheap · scurvy · pissass · reprehensible · ridiculous · sorry · discreditable · unmentionable · weak · scald · ignoble · shameful · lame · plebeian · reptile

Translations (65)

bg низък (deserving contempt) · ru подлый (deserving contempt) · ota آلچاق (deserving contempt) · es rastrero (deserving contempt) · it scorbutico (deserving contempt) · de verachtenswert (deserving contempt) · yxg ban (deserving contempt) · ga sramach (deserving contempt) · pt desprezível (deserving contempt) · la contemptibilis (deserving contempt) · it disdicevole (deserving contempt) · it riprovevole (deserving contempt) · mk пре́зрив (deserving contempt) · fi halveksittava (deserving contempt) · io desestiminda (deserving contempt) · uk зневажений (deserving contempt) · ga suarach (deserving contempt) · it ignobile (deserving contempt) · ga péisteogach (deserving contempt) · mk ни́зок (deserving contempt) · ga suaibhreosach (deserving contempt) · ga míolach (deserving contempt) · es contentible (deserving contempt) · ru презре́нный (deserving contempt) · ga péistiúil (deserving contempt) · bg достоен за презрение (deserving contempt) · mk по́дол (deserving contempt) · ga dímhigneach (deserving contempt) · ru ни́зкий (deserving contempt) · it spregevole (deserving contempt) · cmn 可鄙 (deserving contempt) · eo aĉa (deserving contempt) · cs opovrženíhodný (deserving contempt) · ro demn de dispreț (deserving contempt) · ota رذیل (deserving contempt) · it disprezzabile (deserving contempt) · nl verachtelijk (deserving contempt) · sh podao (deserving contempt) · ga drochmheasúil (deserving contempt) · es menospreciable (deserving contempt) · fa خوار (deserving contempt) · de verachtenswürdig (deserving contempt) · it biasimabile (deserving contempt) · fr méprisable (deserving contempt) · mk по́дмолен (deserving contempt) · be ва́рты пага́рды (deserving contempt) · ja 蔑むべき (deserving contempt) · es bajo (deserving contempt) · ro disprețuibil (deserving contempt) · es desdeñable (deserving contempt) · pl godny pogardy (deserving contempt) · fi alhainen (deserving contempt) · gl desprezábel (deserving contempt) · pdt niedatrajchtich (deserving contempt) · ota ذلیل (deserving contempt) · he בזויה (deserving contempt) · ca menyspreable (deserving contempt) · he בזוי (deserving contempt) · la contemptus (deserving contempt) · es despreciable (deserving contempt) · nb foraktelig (deserving contempt) · bg подъл (deserving contempt) · be нікчэмны (deserving contempt) · hu megvetendő (deserving contempt) · ga neamhshuimiúil (deserving contempt)