I. con ‧ tent 1 S3 W2 /ˈkɒntent $ ˈkɑːn-/ BrE AmE noun
1 . contents [plural]
a) the things that are inside a box, bag, room etc
contents of
The customs official rummaged through the contents of his briefcase.
Most of the gallery’s contents were damaged in the fire.
contents insurance (=insurance for things such as furniture that you have in your house)
b) the things that are written in a letter, book etc
contents of
She kept the contents of the letter a secret.
The program automatically creates a table of contents (=a list at the beginning of a document that shows the different parts into which it is divided) .
He cast his eye down the contents page.
2 . [singular] the amount of a substance that is contained in something, especially food or drink
fat/protein/alcohol etc content
the fat content of cheese
water with a low salt content
3 . [singular, uncountable] the ideas, facts, or opinions that are contained in a speech, piece of writing, film, programme etc:
The content of the media course includes scripting, editing, and camera work.
4 . [singular, uncountable] the information contained in a website, considered separately from the software that makes the website work:
The graphics are brilliant. It’s just a shame the content is so poor.
II. con ‧ tent 2 /kənˈtent/ BrE AmE adjective [not before noun]
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: French ; Origin: Latin contentus ; ⇨ ↑ content 2 ]
1 . happy and satisfied:
Andy was a good husband, and Nicky was clearly very content.
content with
We’ll be content with a respectable result in tomorrow’s match.
2 . content (for somebody) to do something willing to do or accept something, rather than doing more:
She sat quietly, content to watch him working.
He seemed quite content to let Steve do the talking.
Dr Belson had been more than content for them to deal with any difficulties.
3 . not content with something used to emphasize that someone wants or does more than something:
Not content with her new car, Selina now wants a bike.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ satisfied feeling that something is as good as it should be, or that something has happened in the way that you want:
The teacher is satisfied with his progress.
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another satisfied customer
▪ happy [not before noun] satisfied. Happy is very commonly used instead of satisfied in everyday English:
The boss seems happy with my work.
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I’m happy to work part-time until the kids are older.
▪ pleased [not before noun] very satisfied:
I’m pleased with the results.
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He came out looking pleased with himself.
▪ content [not before noun] satisfied with what you are doing, so that you do not want to change anything:
She seemed content to just sit and watch the others.
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Sam was quite content with his life on the farm.
▪ fulfilled [not usually before noun] feeling that you have achieved enough in your life, and that you do not need things that are more interesting, important, or useful:
I enjoy being a mother, but to feel fulfilled I need to work too.
III. content 3 /kənˈtent/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
1 . literary a feeling of quiet happiness and satisfaction
2 . do something to your heart’s content to do something as much as you want:
She took refuge in the library, where she could read to her heart’s content.
IV. content 4 /kənˈtent/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
1 . content yourself with (doing) something to do or have something that is not what you really wanted, but is still satisfactory:
Mr Lal has been asking for more responsibility, but has had to content himself with a minor managerial post.
2 . formal to make someone feel happy and satisfied:
I was no longer satisfied with the life that had hitherto contented me.