# contentious

> English word · Adjective · IPA /kənˈtɛn.ʃəs/ · frequency rank #19,298

## Definitions
1. Marked by heated arguments or controversy.
2. Given to struggling with others out of jealousy or discord.

## Etymology
From Middle French contentieux, from Latin contentiōsus (“quarrelsome, perverse”), from contentiō (“contention”), from contendere, past participle contentus (“to contend”). Equivalent to English contention + -ous.

## Easily confused with
- **conventions** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/contentious-vs-conventions)
- **contention** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/contention-vs-contentious)

## Common misspellings (16)
`ccontentious`, `cnotentious`, `conetntious`, `conntentious`, `contenitous`, `contenntious`, `contentiosu`, `contentiouss`, `contentiuos`, `contentoius`, `contenttious`, `contetnious`, `contnetious`, `conttentious`, `cotnentious`, `ocntentious`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/contentious