How Do You Spell MALCONTENT?

Pronunciation: [mˈalkəntˌɛnt] (IPA)

Malcontent (/mælˈkɒntɛnt/) is a word that is commonly misspelled. It is derived from the French word "malcontent", meaning discontented. The first part of the word, "mal", is pronounced as in "mallet", with a short 'a' sound, followed by a stressed "con", pronounced as in "concrete". The final "tent" is pronounced with a short 'e' sound, as in "sent". The spelling of malcontent is often confused with "malcontented" or "malcontentment", but the correct spelling is simply "malcontent".

MALCONTENT Meaning and Definition

1. A malcontent is an individual who is constantly dissatisfied with their situation or circumstances, often expressing their discontent and unhappiness. It is someone who habitually finds fault with their surroundings, be it within their personal life, work environment, or society at large. The term malcontent is derived from the Latin words "malus" meaning "bad" and "contentus" meaning "satisfied," reflecting the idea of an individual who is consistently unsatisfied or discontented.

   This term typically describes a person who actively opposes or feels antagonistic toward the established order or authority. Malcontents often voice their grievances, critique the status quo, and may engage in protests or demonstrations to voice their displeasure. They tend to harbor a deep-rooted sense of injustice or disappointment, which fuels their dissent and motivates them to advocate for change.

   While malcontents are not always directly involved in tangible actions to address their grievances, they display a persistent discontent that sets them apart from others who may be more accepting or complacent. Their dissatisfaction may stem from a variety of sources, including political, social, economic, or personal reasons.

   However, it is important to note that not all dissatisfied individuals are malcontents, as the term implies a habitual, ongoing state of discontentment rather than just temporary disagreement or dissatisfaction.

2. One discontented or dissatisfied, particularly with political affairs.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for MALCONTENT

• malintent
• nalcontent
• kalcontent
• jalcontent
• mzlcontent
• mslcontent
• mwlcontent
• mqlcontent
• makcontent
• malfcontent
• malcontentt
• malcontend
• malcontente
• Malecontant
• Malcontement
• mallcontant

Etymology of MALCONTENT

The word "malcontent" originated from the Old French term "malcontent" which can be broken down into "mal" meaning "bad" or "evil", and "content" meaning "contented" or "satisfied". The term was initially used in the 16th century to refer to dissatisfied subjects or discontents, particularly in the political sense. Over time, the term "malcontent" came to be used in English as well and has retained a similar meaning, referring to individuals who are chronically dissatisfied or discontented.

Similar spelling word for MALCONTENT

• Malecontent.

Plural form of MALCONTENT is MALCONTENTS