Word
contentment
Phoneticscon·tent·ment, stress on the second syllable
US/kənˈtɛntmənt/
UK/kəntˈɛntmənt/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. a feeling of being happy and satisfied with what you have. You feel this when you are not worried and do not want anything more.
n. a state of peaceful happiness and satisfaction. Often associated with a lack of desire for further material or social advancement.
Examples
“He found great contentment in his quiet life.”
“After years of stressful city living, she finally found a sense of contentment in the countryside.”
“True contentment often stems from an internal appreciation of one's current circumstances rather than the constant pursuit of external validation or material wealth.”
Examples
simple
“He found great contentment in his quiet life.”
contextual
“After years of stressful city living, she finally found a sense of contentment in the countryside.”
complex
“True contentment often stems from an internal appreciation of one's current circumstances rather than the constant pursuit of external validation or material wealth.”
Usage
Often follows the verbs 'find', 'feel', or 'seek'; frequently appears in the phrase 'a sense of contentment'.
Real-World Examples
“After a rocky few decades, the standup is nearing 60 – and finding contentment at last.” “People living in Indonesia scored highest for contentment with friendships and relationships, while people in Japan scored lowest.” Etymology
From Middle French contentement. By surface analysis, content + -ment.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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