French word

contenter

Pronunciation

IPA/kɔ̃tɑ̃te/

Meaning

  • verbsatisfy

Example

Je veux contenter mon fils.

I want to satisfy my son.

Illustration for contenter (satisfy)

More examples

Nous avons préparé un dessert pour contenter nos invités.

We prepared a dessert to please our guests.

Core concept

A person's wishes are met by an action, leaving that person pleased.

Common phrases

  • contenter ses invités

    please his guests

  • contenter les enfants

    please the children

Similar words

satisfaire: Fulfill a requirement or expectation and provide satisfaction.
plaire: Suit someone's tastes or feelings and make them happy.
faire plaisir: Delight someone through an action, gift, or other gesture.
combler: Fully satisfy a need or desire and bring deep fulfillment.

Definition in French

Donner satisfaction à quelqu'un en répondant à ses désirs ou à ses attentes.

Word origin

Contenter comes through Old French from content, meaning 'satisfied', which derives from Latin contentus, the past participle of continere.

Usage tips

  • Contenter quelqu'un takes a direct object, so French uses no preposition before the person: contenter son fils.

Other meanings

  • pleaseverb
  • fulfillverb

Opposites

  • mécontentermake dissatisfiedverb

Related words

  • contentementcontentmentnoun

Word lists with this word