The spelling of the word "contentment" might seem tricky, but it's fairly straightforward once you break it down phonetically. According to the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), the word is pronounced /kənˈtɛntmənt/. The first syllable is pronounced with a short "uh" sound, followed by "t" and "ɛ" sounds. The second syllable starts with a stressed "ten," followed by a "m" sound and an "uh" sound. So, contentment is spelled with "c-o-n-t-e-n-t-m-e-n-t."
Contentment is a state of mind characterized by satisfaction, happiness, and the absence of desire for something more or different. It is the feeling of being pleased and fulfilled with one's present circumstances, possessions, or achievements, without longing for any further external or internal improvements. Contentment is an internal attitude that embraces gratitude and acceptance for what one has and who one is.
When an individual experiences contentment, they are not constantly seeking for something better or comparing themselves to others. They find joy in the present moment and appreciate the simple pleasures in life. Contentment does not mean settling for mediocrity or being complacent, but rather finding fulfillment in one's current situation while still striving for personal growth and improvement.
Contentment can be achieved by cultivating a positive mindset, practicing gratitude, and focusing on the present rather than constantly longing for the future or dwelling on the past. It involves accepting oneself, embracing one's strengths and weaknesses, and finding peace with the circumstances and choices in life. Contentment is not dependent on external factors such as wealth or success, but rather an internal state of harmony and satisfaction.
In summary, contentment is the state of being happy, satisfied, and at peace with one's current circumstances, without the constant desire for something more or different. It involves embracing gratitude, accepting oneself, and finding fulfillment in the present moment.
Quiet; satisfaction of mind.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "contentment" can be traced back to the Latin term "contentus", which is the past participle of the verb "contendere". "Contendere" is composed of "com-" meaning "intensive" and "tendere" meaning "to stretch". In Latin, "contentus" originally meant "having been stretched tightly" or "held firmly". Over time, it evolved to signify a state of being satisfied or fulfilled. The word entered Middle English as "contentment" around the 14th century with the same meaning it holds today.