What does complacent mean?
Word: Complacent
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Complacent means too pleased with how things are, and so not trying hard enough.
Synonyms: self-satisfied
How do you spell complacent?
Syllables: com - pla - cent
Tricky part: A soft c makes the hissing sound in the second half, and it is tempting to write an s, as in complasent.
Watch out for: complasent, complassent
Memory tip: C is for comfort: a complacent person is too comfortable, and the hissing sound in the word is one more c.
Complacent in a sentence
Example 1: Early success made the young band complacent.
Example 2: Nobody in our class can be complacent about spelling.
Example 3: A gentle reminder from Miss Das shook us out of our complacent mood.
Fun Fact
Its Latin source meant to please very much, which is a clue to the meaning, since a complacent person is only too pleased with things.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Find the misspelt word in the sentence:
Although we had won the opening two matches of the inter-house tournament quite easily, our coach warned us not to grow complacant before the semi-final on Friday.
a) warned
b) complacant
c) easily
d) tournament
Show answer
b) complacant. The ending is -ent, as it is in patient.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word complacent as used in the sentence:
A big lead can make a runner complacent on the final lap.
a) careful
b) anxious
c) alert
d) smug
Show answer
d) smug. A smug runner feels too pleased with himself; anxious, careful and alert point the other way.
Mingle-Mangle
The jumbled letters in the sentence hide a word. Choose it.
Do not become etmacplnco just because last week's test went well.
a) compliant
b) compatible
c) competent
d) complacent
Show answer
d) complacent. The jumble has two c's, and none of the others does.
Word Makeup
Just one of these can take ly and become an adverb. Which is it?
ly
a) pillow
b) kitchen
c) orchard
d) complacent
Show answer
d) complacent. Complacent + ly works, while kitchen, pillow and orchard are plain nouns.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A top student is complacent about an exam. What is she most likely to do?
a) revise harder because the paper worries her
b) make a detailed timetable for each subject
c) ask her teacher for extra practice papers
d) skip revision because she feels sure of herself
Show answer
d) skip revision because she feels sure of herself
2. Which proverb warns against being complacent?
a) Pride goes before a fall.
b) Too many cooks spoil the broth.
c) Many hands make light work.
d) Practice makes perfect.
Show answer
a) Pride goes before a fall.
