What does contemptuous mean?
'Contemptuous' is an adjective describing an attitude of intense disdain or scorn toward someone or something judged unworthy of respect. A contemptuous person does not merely disagree with or dislike what they face; they regard it as beneath serious consideration, and that judgment often shows in a curl of the lip, a dismissive wave, or a cutting tone. The word carries a strongly negative connotation and sits in a formal to neutral register, appearing frequently in literature, journalism, and everyday descriptions of haughty or superior behavior. It derives from the Latin 'contemnere', meaning to despise, and is closely related to the noun 'contempt'. Care should be taken not to confuse it with 'contemptible', which describes the object of scorn rather than the person feeling it: a critic may be contemptuous of a film, while the film itself may be contemptible.
adjectiveFeeling or expressing deep disdain or scorn for someone or something regarded as unworthy of respect or consideration.
- Expressing or feeling disdain or scorn toward a person or thing regarded as worthless or beneath consideration.
"She gave a contemptuous glance at the poorly argued proposal before setting it aside."
"He was openly contemptuous of his rival's amateurish tactics."
"With a contemptuous wave of her hand, she dismissed the suggestion entirely."
The difference between being contemptuous and being contemptible is the difference between dishing out scorn and earning it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of contemptuous
'Contemptuous' comes from the Latin 'contemptus', the past participle of 'contemnere', meaning to despise or scorn, itself formed from 'con-' ('together with') and 'temnere' ('to slight or despise'). The word entered English in the late sixteenth or early seventeenth century, alongside related forms such as 'contempt' and 'contemptible'. Cognates appear across the Romance languages, including French 'méprisant' and Spanish 'desdeñoso', though these developed from parallel Latin roots rather than directly from the same English form.
Related word forms
How contemptuous is actually used
Formal to neutral register; strongly negative connotation, so it should be used deliberately. Often appears in descriptions of attitudes, facial expressions, tones of voice, and gestures rather than as an outright insult directed at a listener.
Easily confused with contemptuous
'Contemptuous' describes the person feeling scorn, while 'contemptible' describes something deserving of scorn.