Word
contentious
Phoneticscon·tentious
US/kənˈtɛnʃəs/
UK/kəntˈɛnʃəs/
Definitions
01causing disagreement
C1 · Advanced Formal · Academic
adj. causing a lot of angry disagreement or heated discussion between people.
adj. likely to cause controversy or heated public debate. Often used to describe topics, decisions, or policies.
“The decision to build a new road through the park was very contentious.”
“The proposed changes to the pension scheme remain a highly contentious issue among union members and government officials alike.”
Usage
Commonly used in the phrase 'a contentious issue' or 'a contentious decision'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02liking to argue
C2 · Proficiency Formal · Literary
adj. describes a person who often argues or likes to start fights with others.
adj. exhibiting an argumentative or quarrelsome nature. This sense focuses on the personality trait rather than the topic of debate.
“He has a contentious relationship with his neighbors and they often argue.”
“The committee's progress was frequently stalled by a few contentious members who refused to compromise on even minor points.”
Teaching tip
This sense is less common than the 'controversial issue' sense; in modern English, 'argumentative' is usually preferred for people.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“Always a contentious issue, gender diversity has become particularly volatile over the past few years.” “But the complex job goes beyond the briefing room podium to include managing contentious relationships with the press, coordinating with other parts of the White House, and providing media advice to the president.” Etymology
From Middle French contentieux, from Latin contentiōsus (“quarrelsome, perverse”), from contentiō (“contention”), from contendere, past participle contentus (“to contend”). Equivalent to English contention + -ous.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990EikenEikenTest in Practical English ProficiencyThe English proficiency test from the Eiken Foundation of Japan, widely taken by Japanese students. Grades run from 5 to 1, with Pre-1 and Pre-2 between them.Grade 1
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/contentious