English vocabulary · C1
Complacent
/kəmˈpleɪsnt/ · adj.
A complacent person feels so good that they stop trying. They see no need to change, even when things could go wrong.
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Example sentences
- The complacent guard missed the thief.
- He grew complacent and stopped training.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- com — very (from Latin)
- plac — please (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- SMUG — too proud of yourself (Too pleased with yourself)
- SELF-SATISFIED — too pleased with yourself (Seeing no need to improve)
- OVERCONFIDENT — more sure than you should be (Too sure you will succeed)
Similar words
- smug
- self-satisfied
- overconfident
- unconcerned
- unworried
Lesson notes
A complacent person feels so good that they stop trying. They see no need to change, even when things could go wrong.
Related: smug, self-satisfied, overconfident. Use complacent when care stops.
The complacent guard missed the thief. He grew complacent and stopped training.
From Latin. Com- means very. Plac- means please. Very easy to please yourself, you miss the risk: complacent.