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content

/ˈkɒn.tent/
IELTSAcademic
adjective

Feeling happy and satisfied with what you have. A content person does not want more things or change.

  • She felt content after dinner.
  • He is content with his job.
  • They were content to stay home.
noun

The ideas, words, pictures, or information in a book, website, or speech. It is often used in writing, media, and online work.

  • The article's content was easy to read.
  • This video has useful content.
  • We need fresh content for the website.

Adinary Nuance

Content as an adjective means quietly satisfied, not excited or demanding. It is weaker and calmer than happy, and more about peaceful acceptance than strong emotion. For books, websites, or videos, content means the material inside, so it is not the same word as the adjective. The difference is clear from stress: CON-tent for the adjective, and con-TENT for the noun.

In other languages

Vietnamese
hài lòng
Spanish
satisfecho
Chinese
满足的
Japanese
満足している
Korean
만족한

Etymology

From Old French content, from Latin contentus, meaning 'satisfied' or 'held within'. The noun use for 'material inside something' became common later in English.

Common phrases

content withcontent towebsite contentcontent creator

Synonyms

Related words

Frequently asked questions

Is content a positive word?
Yes. As an adjective, it usually means calm satisfaction.
How do I pronounce content in speech?
The adjective is CON-tent. The noun is con-TENT.
What's the difference between content and happy?
Content is quieter and more peaceful. Happy is broader and often stronger.
Is content used in business writing?
Yes. It is very common for websites, marketing, and media work.