Complacent
/kəmˈpleɪsənt/
adjectiveB2
Definition
Complacent describes a feeling of being too comfortable or happy with how things are, so you do not try to improve or watch out for problems. It often means someone is not careful because they believe everything is fine, even if it might not be.
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See It in Action
Feeling too satisfied with oneself or a situation, ignoring possible risks
- •After winning the first game, the team became complacent and lost the next matches.
- •She was complacent about her grades and did not study for the final exam.
- •The company grew complacent and did not notice new competitors entering the market.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "complacent" like "happy" (A1 word), but with a warning—it means happy in a way that stops you from noticing problems or trying to do better.
- ✓Picture a person sitting relaxed, smiling, not paying attention while a small problem grows nearby.
- ✓It’s the feeling when you think "everything is good enough" and do not want to change or work harder.
- ✓Sounds like "come-PLACE-ent" → imagine someone coming to a place and feeling so safe there that they stop looking around.
- ✓Think of a story where a character feels safe and stops preparing, then something bad surprises them.
- ✓NOT like "confident" (which is a positive feeling of ability)—"complacent" is a negative feeling because it stops you from improving or being careful.
- ✓NOT like "careless" (which means not paying attention because of forgetfulness)—"complacent" means being too satisfied and ignoring risks.
- ✓NOT like "content" (which is quiet happiness)—"complacent" has a sense of danger because it can cause problems if you ignore warnings.
Try Other Words
- •Self-satisfied: feeling pleased with oneself, often too much (Use when meaning is about personal pride that stops improvement)
- •Overconfident: having too much confidence (Use when someone believes too much in their ability, risking mistakes)
- •Careless: not paying enough attention (Use when the problem is lack of attention, not satisfaction)
- •Unconcerned: not worried or interested (Use when someone does not care about a problem or risk)
Unboxing
- •Prefix: "com-" means "together" or "with"
- •Root: "plac" comes from Latin "placere," meaning "to please" or "to be pleasing"
- •Suffix: "-ent" is an adjective ending meaning "having the quality of"
- •Origin: From Latin "complacentem," meaning "pleasing oneself"
- •Historical development: Originally meant pleasing oneself or feeling pleased; over time, it gained the meaning of being too pleased and not careful
- •Modern usage: Used to describe people or groups who are too comfortable and ignore risks or problems
Reflect & Connect
•Can being complacent sometimes help people feel calm, or is it always dangerous? Why?
•How can you tell the difference between being proud of your work and being complacent about it?
Fill in the blanks
1.The team became complacent ___ their early success and stopped practicing hard.
2.When people feel complacent, they often ___ warnings or signs of problems.
3.Unlike confident people, complacent people do not ___ to improve or prepare.
4.He was complacent ___ his job performance and did not try to learn new skills.
5.Companies that become complacent usually ___ new competitors entering the market.
6.Feeling complacent can cause a person to ___ important details or risks.
7.She was too complacent ___ the situation to notice the problems growing nearby.