Library / English Dictionary

CONTENTED

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (adjective) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Satisfied or showing satisfaction with things as they are

Example:

a contented smile

Synonyms:

content; contented

Classified under:

Adjectives

Similar:

complacent; self-complacent; self-satisfied (contented to a fault with oneself or one's actions)

satisfied (filled with satisfaction)

self-satisfied; smug (marked by excessive complacency or self-satisfaction)

Also:

happy (enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure)

pleased (experiencing or manifesting pleasure)

Antonym:

discontented (showing or experiencing dissatisfaction or restless longing)

Derivation:

contentedness (the state of being contented with your situation in life)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Past simple / past participle of the verb content

Credits

 Context examples: 

Inspector Martin had the good sense to allow my friend to do things in his own fashion, and contented himself with carefully noting the results.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I contented myself with smiling wearily.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Their joy on this meeting was very great, as well it might, since they had been contented to know nothing of each other for the last fifteen years.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

Lady Bertram was perfectly quiescent and contented, and had no objections to make.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

Yes, ma'am, she said how she was very well; and to my mind she was always a very handsome young lady—and she seemed vastly contented.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

It was her own universal good-will and contented temper which worked such wonders.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

Miss Elliot, surrounded by her cousins, and the principal object of Colonel Wallis's gallantry, was quite contented.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

It’s a bad compliment to me that you can’t be contented with my society for so short a time.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I reflected, and in truth it appeared to me the only possible one: satisfied I was not, but to please him I endeavoured to appear so—relieved, I certainly did feel; so I answered him with a contented smile.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

I would have given the captain (one Theodorus Vangrult) what he pleased to ask for my voyage to Holland; but understanding I was a surgeon, he was contented to take half the usual rate, on condition that I would serve him in the way of my calling.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)