complacent in English
- complacent⇄adv. complacently.
- complacent⇄complacent, adjective.
pleased or satisfied with oneself or what one has.
Ex. The winner's complacent smile annoyed the loser.
(SYN) smug, self-satisfied.
complacent in Gujarati ગુજરાતી
complacent in Marathi मराठी
complacent in Sindhi سنڌي
complacent in Tamil தமிழ்
complacent in Telugu తెలుగు
Complacent
Part of Speech
Adjective
Pronunciation
British English: /kəmˈpleɪ.sənt/
American English: /kəmˈpleɪ.sənt/
Definitions
- Showing smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one's achievements.
- Content with the current state, often unaware of potential dangers or shortcomings.
Usage Examples
- Despite the declining sales, the manager remained complacent about the company's future.
- He was complacent with his routine and did not seek personal growth.
Etymology
Derived from Latin complacēre, meaning "to please," later evolving into its modern usage to indicate self-satisfaction.
Synonyms
- Self-satisfied
- Smug
- Unconcerned
- Content
Antonyms
- Concerned
- Anxious
- Dissatisfied
- Restless
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| French | Complaisant | /kɔ̃.plɛ.zɑ̃/ |
| German | Selbstzufrieden | /ˈzɛlpst.tsuː.fʁiːdn̩/ |
| Spanish | Complaciente | /kom.plaˈθjen.te/ |
| Portuguese | Complacente | /kõ.plaˈsẽ.tʃi/ |
| Italian | Compiacente | /kom.pjaˈtʃɛnte/ |
| Chinese | 自满的 | /zì mǎn de/ |
| Japanese | 自己満足な | /jiko manzoku na/ |
| Russian | Самодовольный | /səmə.dɐˈvolʲnɨj/ |
| Hindi | आत्मसंतुष्ट | /ātmasantuṣṭ/ |
| Bengali | আত্মতুষ্ট | /ātmatusti/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
- British English: /kəmˈpleɪ.sənt/
- American English: /kəmˈpleɪ.sənt/
- Australian English: /kəmˈpleɪ.sənt/
Historical Usage
The term first appeared in the English language in the 17th century, originally carrying a neutral meaning of being agreeable. Over time, it gained a negative connotation associated with self-satisfaction and lack of ambition.
Cultural Nuances
In some cultures, being complacent is seen as a sign of contentment and peace, while in others, it is considered a barrier to success and improvement.
More Information
Complacency is often discussed in professional and psychological contexts, where it is seen as a risk factor leading to stagnation and underperformance. It is frequently contrasted with ambition and continuous improvement.