contentedness: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Literary
Quick answer
What does “contentedness” mean?
The state of being satisfied and happy with what one has.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The state of being satisfied and happy with what one has; a feeling of peaceful happiness.
A sustained, settled state of satisfaction, often implying a deeper, more philosophical acceptance of one's circumstances rather than a fleeting feeling of pleasure. It can also describe a lack of desire for more or different things.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The term is rare in both dialects.
Connotations
Slightly more archaic or poetic in feel. In both dialects, 'contentment' is overwhelmingly preferred.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both corpora. 'Contentment' is at least 50 times more common.
Grammar
How to Use “contentedness” in a Sentence
A sense of contentedness (+ prepositional phrase: with life)Her contentedness was evident.To find contentedness in (something)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “contentedness” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- It is not something one can actively 'contentedness'. (Invalid usage - no verb form).
American English
- You cannot 'contentedness' yourself. (Invalid usage - no verb form).
adverb
British English
- She smiled contentednessly. (Invalid - no adverb form; use 'contentedly').
American English
- He lived contentednessly. (Invalid - no adverb form; use 'contentedly').
adjective
British English
- A contentedness smile. (Incorrect - should be 'contented smile').
American English
- Her contentedness expression. (Incorrect - should be 'contented expression').
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually unused. Concepts are expressed as 'job satisfaction' or 'employee engagement'.
Academic
Rare, but may appear in philosophical, psychological, or literary studies discussing states of being.
Everyday
Extremely rare. 'Contentment' or 'being happy with' is used instead.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “contentedness”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “contentedness”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “contentedness”
- Misspelling as *'contendedness' (from 'contend').
- Using it in casual speech where 'happiness' or 'contentment' is more natural, which can sound stilted.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are synonyms, but 'contentment' is far more common and natural in modern usage. 'Contentedness' has a more formal, slightly archaic or literary feel.
It is grammatically correct but will sound very formal or unusual. It is recommended to use 'contentment' or phrases like 'being content/happy with' in everyday speech.
It describes a state—a more stable, enduring condition rather than a momentary feeling. It implies a settled satisfaction.
It is a noun. The related adjective is 'contented' and the adverb is 'contentedly'.
The state of being satisfied and happy with what one has.
Contentedness is usually formal, literary in register.
Contentedness: in British English it is pronounced /kənˈtɛntɪdnəs/, and in American English it is pronounced /kənˈtɛntədnəs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A contentedness of spirit”
- “To live in contentedness”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a cat (contented) curled up (-ness) by the fire. The state (-ness) of being like a contented cat.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTENTEDNESS IS A QUIET POOL (calm, still, deep).
Practice
Quiz
Which word is the most common, natural synonym for 'contentedness' in modern English?