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Webster 1913 Edition

Complacent

Com-pla′cent

,
Adj.
[L.
complacens
very pleasing, p. pr. of
complacere
;
com-
+
placere
to please: cf. F.
complaisant
. See
Please
and cf.
Complaisant
.]
Self-satisfied; contented; kindly;
as, a
complacent
temper; a
complacent
smile
.
They look up with a sort of
complacent
awe . . . to kings.
Burke.

Webster 1828 Edition

Complacent

COMPLACENT

,
Adj.
Civil; complaisant.
They look up with a sort of complacent awe to kings.

Definition 2024

complacent

complacent

English

Adjective

complacent ‎(comparative more complacent, superlative most complacent)

  1. Uncritically satisfied with oneself or one's achievements; smug.
  2. Apathetic with regard to an apparent need or problem.

Usage notes

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

Synonyms

Derived terms

Related terms

Translations

External links

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

Latin

Verb

complacent

  1. third-person plural present active indicative of complaceō

Etymology

From Latin complacens ‎(“very pleasing”), present participle of complacere ‎(“to please at the same time, be very pleasing”), from com- ‎(“together”) + placere ‎(“to please”); see please and compare complaisant.

Pronunciation

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