contemplative
/kənˈtɛmplətɪv/adjective, noun
contemplative is spelled C-O-N-T-E-M-P-L-A-T-I-V-E: 13 letters and 4 syllables. It appears about once in every 1 million words in written English, the 33,236th most frequent word form (wordfreq, 2021 data). As an adjective, contemplative means “Inclined to contemplate; introspective and thoughtful; meditative” (English Wiktionary, September 2026).
How many letters and syllables are in contemplative?
| Letters | 13: C-O-N-T-E-M-P-L-A-T-I-V-E |
|---|---|
| Syllables | 4 (from its American pronunciation) |
| In writing | about once in every 1 million words; the 33,236th most frequent word form |
| Wrong spellings searched | none measured in search |
Sources: letters and syllables from the English Wiktionary's hyphenation or pronunciation and the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary; written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How common is contemplative?
Contemplative appears about once in every 1 million words in written English, the 33,236th most frequent word form in the list.
Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How do you pronounce contemplative?
- UK /kənˈtɛmplətɪv/
- UK /ˈkɒntəmˌpleɪtɪv/
- UK /ˈkɒntəmplətɪv/
Contemplative has 4 syllables (counted from its American pronunciation in the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary).
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Recordings: LL-Q1860_(eng)-Vealhurl-contemplative.wav, Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on each file's page).
Forms of contemplative
- more contemplative comparative
- most contemplative superlative
- contemplatives plural
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
What does contemplative mean?
The meanings the English Wiktionary records, quoted as written there (source below).
adjective
- 1
Inclined to contemplate; introspective and thoughtful; meditative.
- 2
Pertaining to a religious contemplative, or a contemplative religious orders, especially the Roman Catholic varieties.
- 3
Relating to, or having the power of, contemplation.
contemplative faculties
- 4
In a phase of mental activity in which one begins to recognize and acknowledge the maladaptiveness of someone's behavior (such as one's own, or that of a family member or friend); usually with reference to substance use.
noun
- 1
Someone who has dedicated themselves to religious or philosophical contemplation.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Contemplative in Spanish, French, German and Portuguese
In the sense inclined to contemplate; introspective and thoughtful; meditative:
| Language | Words |
|---|---|
| French | contemplatif |
| German | nachdenklich, kontemplativ |
| Spanish | contemplativo |
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Translations are Wiktionary's, by sense; a linked word has its own PlainSpell page.
Where does contemplative come from?
From Middle English contemplatyve, contemplatyf, from Old French contemplatif, from Latin contemplātīvus.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).