adj

contemptible

kuhn-TEHMP-tuh-buhl

Contemptible (adj) means deserving scorn or disrespect; despicable. Example: “His betrayal of his closest friend was utterly contemptible.”

adj

Deserving scorn or disrespect; despicable.

"His betrayal of his closest friend was utterly contemptible."

How to use contemptible

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSo bad or dishonourable that it deserves contempt.

Common mistake

Don't mix up with "contemptuous," which describes a person showing contempt toward others, not a thing deserving it.

Easily confused with

contemptuous →

more contemptible comparative, most contemptible superlative

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His betrayal of his closest friend was utterly _____.

From Middle English contemptible, from Latin contemptibilis.

Origin: Latin

Bible edible legible visible audible fungible feasible tangible possible flexible gullible sensible

What does “contemptible” mean?

The word “contemptible” means deserving scorn or disrespect; despicable. In plain terms, so bad or dishonourable that it deserves contempt.

How do you pronounce “contemptible”?

“Contemptible” is pronounced kuhn-TEHMP-tuh-buhl (/kənˈtɛmptəbəl/ in IPA).

How do you use “contemptible” in a sentence?

Here is “contemptible” used in a sentence: “His betrayal of his closest friend was utterly contemptible.”

What part of speech is “contemptible”?

“Contemptible” is an adjective.

Where does the word “contemptible” come from?

The word “contemptible” comes from Latin. From Middle English contemptible, from Latin contemptibilis.