English Explanatory Dictionary

contrite

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Sincerely penitent or feeling regret or sorrow, especially for one’s own actions.
  2. Thoroughly bruised or broken.
noun
  1. A contrite person; a penitent.

Pronunciation

/kənˈtɹaɪt/ /ˈkɒnˌtɹaɪt/ /ˈkɑnˌtɹaɪt/ en-us-contrite.ogg en-au-contrite.ogg

Word forms

contrite more contrite most contrite contrites

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ḱe Proto-Indo-European *ḱóm Proto-Italic *kom Proto-Italic *kom- Latin con- Proto-Indo-European *terh₁- Latin terō Latin conterō Latin contrītusder. Old French contritbor. Middle English contrit English contrite From Middle English contrit, from Old French contrit, from Latin contrītus (literally “ground to pieces”), perfect passive participle of conterō (“grind, bruise”), from con- + terō (“rub, wear away”).

Synonyms

apologetic remorseful penitent repentant contrite guilt-ridden

Antonyms

attrite

Derived words

contritely contriteness uncontrite
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