How to pronounce contempt
Say it like kun-TEMPT. Contempt has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TEMPT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce contempt. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kun
- TEMPT
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Contempt pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- TEMPTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of contempt
American and British speakers say contempt in essentially the same way: /kənˈtɛmpt/ in the US and /kənˈtɛmpt/ in the UK.
British respelling: kun-TEMPT.
What does contempt mean?
- lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike“he was held in contempt”“the despite in which outsiders were held is legendary”
- a manner that is generally disrespectful and contemptuous
- open disrespect for a person or thing
Where does contempt come from?
From Latin contemptus (“scorn”), from contemnō (“to scorn, despise”), from com- + temnō (“to despise”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with contempt
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of contempt.
Questions about saying contempt
How do you pronounce contempt?
Say kun-TEMPT. The American pronunciation is /kənˈtɛmpt/. In British English it is /kənˈtɛmpt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in contempt?
Contempt has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TEMPT). Broken into parts: kun · TEMPT.
Do Americans and Brits say contempt the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /kənˈtɛmpt/ and the British form is /kənˈtɛmpt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.