adj
contemptuous
kuhn-TEHM-choo-uhs
adj
1
Showing or feeling contempt; scornful and disrespectful.
"He gave a contemptuous laugh at the suggestion."
How to Use Contemptuous
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDisplaying scorn or disdain toward someone or something.
Common mistake
"Contemptuous" describes someone showing contempt; "contemptible" describes someone or something deserving it.
Easily confused with
Word Forms
more contemptuous comparative, most contemptuous superlative
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Etymology
From Latin contemptus ("contempt") plus the adjective-forming suffix -ous.