adj
Uncommon
complacent
kuhm-PLAY-suhnt
Complacent (adj) means Too pleased with oneself or one's situation, especially in a way that ignores real risks. Example: “The team grew complacent after several easy wins and then lost badly.”
adj
1
Too pleased with oneself or one's situation, especially in a way that ignores real risks.
"The team grew complacent after several easy wins and then lost badly."
"Don't get complacent just because sales are up this quarter."
How to use complacent
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSmugly satisfied and not worried enough about problems that could still go wrong.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "complaisant" (eager to please others) — a near-homophone with a very different meaning.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
grow complacent
become complacent
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more complacent
- Superlative
- most complacent
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The team grew _____ after several easy wins and then lost badly.
Etymology
From Latin complacens, "very pleasing," from com- ("together") plus placere ("to please").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for complacent
See all rhymes for complacent →Frequently asked questions
What does “complacent” mean?
The word “complacent” means too pleased with oneself or one's situation, especially in a way that ignores real risks. In plain terms, smugly satisfied and not worried enough about problems that could still go wrong.
How do you pronounce “complacent”?
“Complacent” is pronounced kuhm-PLAY-suhnt (/kəmˈpleɪsənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “complacent” in a sentence?
Here is “complacent” used in a sentence: “The team grew complacent after several easy wins and then lost badly.”
What is another word for “complacent”?
Words with a similar meaning to “complacent” include smug, self-satisfied and placid.
What part of speech is “complacent”?
“Complacent” is an adjective.
Where does the word “complacent” come from?
The word “complacent” comes from Latin. From Latin complacens, "very pleasing," from com- ("together") plus placere ("to please").
Is “complacent” a common word?
“Complacent” is an uncommon word in modern English.
