contented

1. 1
   adjective

   Feeling quietly happy and satisfied, with no desire for anything more.

   Like the calm, full feeling after a good meal, when you need nothing else.

   She looked contented as she watched the sunset from her porch.

   A contented sigh escaped him as he settled into the old armchair.

   Similarcontent, satisfied, happy, pleased, serene

   Oppositediscontented, dissatisfied, unhappy, restless

   Note

   Shakespeare uses it for willingness as much as for feeling. In The Taming of the Shrew, the meat was fine "if you were so contented," meaning if you would accept it. It sits easily after a verb, as when James Boswell, in 1795, says he will "now die contented." It also grades naturally: more contented, most contented. The shorter content is a close near-synonym.

2. 2
   verb

   Simple past and past participle of content.

   The promotion contented him for a while, but his ambition soon returned.

   She has contented herself with simple pleasures since retiring.

   Note

   The verb behind this form is transitive: something contents a person. A common construction is reflexive, as in contenting yourself with simple pleasures. The same spelling also serves as the adjective for feeling satisfied. Grading tells them apart: more contented and most contented belong to the adjective, while the participle takes an object or a by-phrase. An older, now obsolete use meant to pay or requite someone.

Showing meanings only. Show all 2