French word

mécontent

Pronunciation

IPA/mekɔ̃tɑ̃/

Meaning

  • adjectivedissatisfied

Example

Elle est mécontente de son travail.

She is dissatisfied with her work.

Illustration for mécontent (dissatisfied)

More examples

Il paraît mécontent aujourd'hui.

He appears dissatisfied today.

Core concept

A person whose expression and manner show that a decision or situation falls short of expectations.

Common phrases

  • se déclarer mécontent

    declare oneself dissatisfied

  • paraître mécontent

    appear dissatisfied

Similar words

insatisfait: Not satisfied because expectations or conditions have not been met.
contrarié: Upset or troubled because things have not gone as hoped.
déçu: Disappointed because an expected outcome did not happen.
irrité: Irritated and unsettled by a minor annoyance.

Definition in French

Qui manifeste une insatisfaction, que ce soit par l'attitude, les mots ou le comportement, envers une situation, une décision ou une personne.

Word origin

Mécontent comes from Old French mescontent, formed with mes- meaning badly or wrongly and content from Latin contentus, meaning satisfied.

Usage tips

  • Mécontent takes de before the cause of dissatisfaction, as in mécontente de son travail, and the adjective agrees with the noun.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word