SINCE 1828

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1

content

noun con·tent \ ˈkän-ˌtent \

1 a : something contained —usually used in plural

the jar's contents

the drawer's contents

b : the topics or matter treated in a written work

table of contents

c : the principal substance (such as written matter, illustrations, or music) offered by a website

… Internet users have evolved an ethos of free content in the Internet.
—Ben Gerson

2 a : substance, gist

b : meaning, significance

c : the events, physical detail, and information in a work of art — compare form 10b

The film was rated R for its violent content.

3 a : the matter dealt with in a field of study

… the content of sociology is inexhaustible …
—Franklin H. Giddings

b : a part, element, or complex of parts

4 : the amount of specified material contained : proportion

the sulfur content in coal

Origin and Etymology of content

Middle English, from Latin contentus, past participle of continēre to contain

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

2

content

adjective con·tent \ kən-ˈtent \

: contented, satisfied

She was content with her life as it was.

See content defined for English-language learners

See content defined for kids

Examples of content in a Sentence

The baby looks content in her crib.
A fancy hotel is not necessary; I'd be content with a warm meal and a clean place to sleep.
No, I don't want to play. I'm content to watch.
Not content to stay at home, she set off to see the world at the age of 16.
Polls show that voters are growing less and less content with the current administration.

Origin and Etymology of content

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin contentus, from past participle of continēre to hold in, contain — more at contain

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

content Synonyms

Synonyms

contented, gratified, happy, pleased, satisfied;

Antonyms

discontent, discontented, displeased, dissatisfied, malcontent, malcontented, unhappy;

Near Antonyms

disaffected, disgruntled, displeased, unsatisfied;

abject, aggrieved, anguished, brokenhearted, dejected, depressed, despondent, disconsolate, discouraged, disheartened, dispirited, downcast, downhearted;

Related Words

blissful, delighted, glad, joyful, joyous, jubilant, rejoicing, tickled;

ecstatic, elated, enraptured, euphoric, overjoyed, rapturous, thrilled;

appeased, mollified, pacified, placated;

3

content

verb con·tent \ kən-ˈtent \

transitive verb

1 : to appease the desires of

… he had been betrayed into a position which neither contented his heart nor satisfied his conscience.
—Edward Bulwer-Lytton

2 : to limit (oneself) in requirements, desires, or actions

The rainy weather spoiled our plans for the beach, so we had to content ourselves with a relaxing day at home.

See content defined for English-language learners

Examples of content in a Sentence

The toys contented the children, at least for a little while.
a person easily contented by life's simple pleasures

Origin and Etymology of content

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

content Synonyms

Synonyms

agree (with), delight, feast, gladden, gratify, please, rejoice, satisfy, suit, warm;

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

aggravate, annoy, bother, chafe, cross, exasperate, gall, grate, irk, irritate, nettle, peeve, perturb, pique, ruffle, vex;

anger, enrage, incense, inflame (also enflame), infuriate, madden, outrage, rankle, rile, roil, steam up;

provoke, rouse;

agitate, distress, disturb, fret, upset;

harass, harry, pester;

Related Words

appease, mollify, pacify, placate, soothe;

assuage, quench, sate, satiate;

excite, tickle, titillate;

amuse, divert, entertain, treat;

captivate, charm;

galvanize, thrill;

cater (to), humor, indulge;

coddle, mollycoddle, pamper, spoil;

4

content

noun con·tent \ kən-ˈtent \

: contentment

He ate to his heart's content.

Origin and Etymology of content

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1579

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Other Literature Terms

apophasis, bathos, bildungsroman, bowdlerize, caesura, coda, doggerel, euphemism, poesy, prosody

CONTENT Defined for English Language Learners

content

adjective

: pleased and satisfied : not needing more

content

verb

: to make (someone) pleased and satisfied : to make (someone) content

CONTENT Defined for Kids

1

content

noun con·tent \ ˈkän-ˌtent \

1 : the things that are within —usually used in pl.

the contents of a room

2 : the subject or topic treated (as in a book) —usually used in pl.

a table of contents

3 : the important part or meaning (as of a book)

Do you understand the content of the paragraph?

4 : a certain amount

The soup has a high content of salt.

2

content

adjective con·tent \ kən-ˈtent \

: pleased and satisfied

3

content

verb

contented; contenting

: to make pleased : satisfy

He contented himself with a seat beside the fire.

4

content

noun

: freedom from care or discomfort

She fell asleep in complete content.

Medical Dictionary

content

noun con·tent \ ˈkän-ˌtent \

1 : something contained —usually used in plural

the stomach contents

2 : the subject matter or symbolic significance of something — see latent content, manifest content

3 : the amount of specified material contained

the sulfur content of a sample

Learn More about content

See words that rhyme with content Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for content Spanish Central: Translation of content Nglish: Translation of content for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of content for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about content

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up content? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

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WORD OF THE DAY

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BROWSE DICTIONARY

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contend with

content

content analysis

contentation

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Examples: content in a Sentence