complacent

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin complacēns (very pleasing), present participle of complacēre (to please at the same time, be very pleasing), from com- (together) + placēre (to please); see please and compare complaisant.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /kəmˈpleɪsənt/
  • (file)
  • Homophone: complaisant

Adjective

complacent (comparative more complacent, superlative most complacent)

  1. Uncritically satisfied with oneself or one's achievements; smug.
    • 2021 June 29, Phil McNulty, “England 2-0 Germany”, in BBC Sport:
      England will feel confident but not complacent against Ukraine, and the shock exit of France to Switzerland shows no-one can be taken lightly.
  2. Apathetic with regard to an apparent need or problem.

Usage notes

  • Complacent should not be confused with its homophone, complaisant.

Synonyms

Derived terms

Translations

Further reading

  • complacent in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
  • complacent in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911

Latin

Verb

complacent

  1. third-person plural present active indicative of complaceō
This article is issued from Wiktionary. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.