content
kuhn-TEHNT
Content (adj) means Satisfied and at ease; not wanting more than what one has. Example: “After a big lunch, the cat lay content in a patch of sunlight.”
adj
1
Satisfied and at ease; not wanting more than what one has.
"After a big lunch, the cat lay content in a patch of sunlight."
"She was content to stay at home and read while it rained."
"He seemed perfectly content with his quiet life in the village."
noun
1
The subject matter or information contained in something written, spoken, or recorded — especially, today, material published online.
"The teacher asked us to summarise the content of the chapter in one paragraph."
"The site publishes new content every morning."
"Please check the content of the email before sending it."
2
The amount of a particular substance contained within something.
"Oranges have a high water content, which is why they feel so juicy."
"The label shows the fat content of every item on the shelf."
"This cereal has a high sugar content."
verb
1
To make someone satisfied or at ease.
"A cup of tea and a quiet evening was enough to content him."
"Nothing could content the crowd except a second song from the band."
"Nothing seemed to content the restless toddler."
How to use content
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither "satisfied" (adjective) or "the material/substance held inside something" (noun) — note the stress shifts: conTENT (satisfied) vs. CONtent (material).
Common mistake
Watch the stress: as an adjective meaning "satisfied" it's stressed on the second syllable; as a noun meaning "material/substance" it's stressed on the first.
Common pairings
content with
video content
high-content
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Word forms
- Plural
- contents
- Third person singular
- contents
- Past tense
- contented
- Comparative
- more content, contenter
- Superlative
- most content, contentest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
After a big lunch, the cat lay _____ in a patch of sunlight.
Etymology
From Latin contentus, "contained; satisfied," the past participle of continēre ("to contain").
Synonyms
View more →
satisfied
contented
at ease
fulfilled
pleased
comfortable
untroubled
subject
message
capacity
substance
mental object
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for content
See all rhymes for content →Frequently asked questions
What does “content” mean?
The word “content” means satisfied and at ease; not wanting more than what one has. In plain terms, either "satisfied" (adjective) or "the material/substance held inside something" (noun) — note the stress shifts: conTENT (satisfied) vs. CONtent (material).
How do you pronounce “content”?
“Content” is pronounced kuhn-TEHNT (/kənˈtɛnt/ in IPA).
How do you use “content” in a sentence?
Here is “content” used in a sentence: “He seemed perfectly content with his quiet life in the village.”
What part of speech is “content”?
Depending on how it is used, “content” can be an adjective, a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “content” come from?
The word “content” comes from Latin. From Latin contentus, "contained; satisfied," the past participle of continēre ("to contain").
Is “content” a common word?
“Content” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “content” have?
“Content” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: satisfied and at ease; not wanting more than what one has.
What is the difference between content and happy?
Content is a calm, quiet satisfaction — being at ease and not wanting more than you have. Happiness is usually more active and joyful, an uplifting feeling that rises and fades. You can feel content without being excited; contentment is steady and settled, while happiness tends to come in peaks.
What is the difference between content and contented?
Both describe a satisfied state and are very close in meaning. Content, the adjective, most often comes after a verb — 'she felt content.' Contented can sit before a noun — 'a contented smile' — and tends to suggest a settled, lasting sense of ease. The difference is subtle.
What is the opposite of content?
Opposites include discontented, dissatisfied, restless, and unhappy. Where a content person is at ease and wants nothing more, a discontented one feels a lack and longs for something different or better. 'Frustrated' and 'unfulfilled' also sit at the opposite end of the feeling.
How is the adjective content pronounced?
The adjective content, meaning satisfied, is stressed on the second syllable: con-TENT. This sets it apart from the noun content — meaning what something contains — which is stressed on the first syllable: CON-tent. Same spelling, but different stress and a completely different meaning.
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