content
content — adjective
1. experiencing a sense of wellbeing about your current situation, without wanting
experiencing a sense of wellbeing about your current situation, without wanting anything different or better than what you have.
Mert felt content living in a small flat by the sea, even though his friends had bigger houses.
be content + gerund for situation satisfaction
The old cat seemed content to lie in the sun all afternoon.
be content to + infinitive
Ava was content with her exam results and did not want to retake any subject.
Nikos is never content — he always wants a faster car or a fancier phone.
The children were content playing with wooden blocks for hours while their parents talked.
- discontented
the direct opposite; unhappy with one's situation
- dissatisfied
stronger, implies active disappointment rather than just lack of satisfaction
文法句型
be content
be content with + noun/gerund
be content to + infinitive
用法筆記
Predicative only — you cannot say 'a content person'; instead use 'a contented person'. The pattern 'content with + noun/gerund' describes the source of satisfaction, while 'content to + infinitive' describes the activity one is happy doing.
常見錯誤
content — verb
1. to accept what you have or are able to get, even though it is less than what you
to accept what you have or are able to get, even though it is less than what you had hoped for, and stop trying to get something better.
The museum did not have the painting she wanted, so Élise contented herself with a poster from the gift shop.
content oneself with + noun phrase
Kabir could not afford a new laptop, so he contented himself with repairing his old one.
Having missed the last bus, Ishaan contented himself with sleeping on a bench at the station.
Ignacio had dreamed of studying in Paris but contented himself with a university closer to home.
- settle for
more informal and common in spoken English; does not need a reflexive pronoun
- make do with
informal idiom meaning to manage with less than desired
- resign oneself to
stronger, suggests accepting something unwanted after a struggle
- strive for
to make great efforts to get something better
文法句型
content oneself with + noun/gerund
用法筆記
This verb always requires a reflexive object (myself, yourself, himself, herself, ourselves, themselves) followed by 'with'. It cannot be used without the reflexive pronoun or with a different preposition. Distinguish from sense 2: here the person actively limits their own expectations rather than being made happy by something.
常見錯誤
2. to give someone the happiness or satisfaction they need, especially by providing
to give someone the happiness or satisfaction they need, especially by providing what they desire — for example, contenting a child with a favourite snack, or contenting an audience with a fine performance.
A single scoop of ice cream was enough to content the hungry child.
content + direct object (person)
The hotel manager tried to content the complaining guest by offering a room upgrade.
Nothing could content Tuan after he lost his grandfather’s old watch.
Roya was contented by a simple dinner of rice and vegetables after her long journey.
- displease
to make someone unhappy or annoyed
文法句型
content + object
be contented by/with + noun/gerund
用法筆記
This sense is less common in everyday speech than the adjective 'content'. It is often found in formal or literary writing. The past participle 'contented' is also used as an adjective (e.g., 'a contented sigh').
常見錯誤
content — noun
1. the ideas, information, or themes that make up what a written work, speech, film
the ideas, information, or themes that make up what a written work, speech, film, or similar creation communicates to its audience.
The content of her lecture focused on how artificial intelligence is changing medicine.
content of + lecture/speech
Teachers should check that the content of a film is suitable for young students.
The content of the article was fascinating, but the writing style made it hard to follow.
Jabari enjoyed the course because the content was practical and relevant to his job.
Online courses need clear and well-organised content to keep students engaged throughout the term.
- subject matter
emphasises the topic or theme being discussed; more explicit about what the work is 'about'
- substance
suggests important, meaningful content as opposed to trivial or filler material
- theme
a central or recurring idea, narrower than 'content'
- message
the main point or lesson the creator intends to communicate
文法句型
content of + writing/speech/film
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2: sense 1 refers to the ideas or themes themselves (the 'what' of a work), while sense 2 refers to digital material published on websites. This sense can apply to both traditional and digital media, but emphasises the meaning or message rather than the format.
常見錯誤
2. text, images, audio, video, and other material that is created and shared on web
text, images, audio, video, and other material that is created and shared on websites, social media, or other digital platforms.
Mayumi creates content for a popular travel blog about her trips across Southeast Asia.
creates content (common collocation)
Social media platforms must remove harmful content such as hate speech and false information.
Good content is the key to attracting more followers on any online channel.
The website’s content includes product reviews, how-to videos, and customer stories.
Christopher started a YouTube channel and uploads fresh content every Tuesday morning.
- material
broader, can refer to non-digital things too; less specific to online media
- media
focuses on the format (video, audio) rather than the informational value
- digital assets
formal/business term for content treated as valuable resources
文法句型
content + noun (content creator)
digital content
online content
用法筆記
This is the most common meaning of 'content' in everyday internet-related language. It is uncountable: 'many contents' is incorrect. Use 'a lot of content', 'pieces of content', or 'content items' instead. The related noun 'content creator' refers to someone who makes digital material professionally.
常見錯誤
3. a list at the front of a book, magazine, or journal that shows the titles of the
a list at the front of a book, magazine, or journal that shows the titles of the sections or articles and the page number where each one begins.
Ramón checked the contents page to find the chapter about Japanese architecture.
contents page (attributive use)
Aoi always reads the contents of a textbook before deciding whether to buy it.
The contents of the magazine included articles on travel, fashion, and food.
A good contents page helps readers find the information they need quickly.
- table of contents
more formal and complete term; often abbreviated as TOC
- index
different — lists specific topics alphabetically at the end, not sections at the front
文法句型
contents of + book/magazine
contents page
用法筆記
Often used in the plural form 'contents' (e.g., 'the contents of the book'). When referring to the page itself, use 'contents page' not 'content page'. Pronounced /ˈkɒn.tents/ (KON-tents) for the plural noun — different from the adjective/verb pronunciation /kənˈtent/.
常見錯誤
4. every item or object that is located inside a container, bag, room, building, or
every item or object that is located inside a container, bag, room, building, or other enclosed area.
The customs officer asked Reuben to empty his bag and show its contents.
contents of a bag/container
The contents of the box were carefully wrapped in newspaper to prevent damage.
Firefighters checked the contents of the burning building before deciding how to enter.
A label on the bottle lists its contents and the recommended dosage for children.
The archaeologist carefully recorded the contents of the ancient tomb before removing anything.
- items
neutral term for individual objects; less specific to being inside something
- things inside
informal paraphrase, clearer for learners
- inventory
formal list of items, often used for official records
文法句型
(the) contents of + container/bag/room/building
用法筆記
Almost always used in the plural 'contents' (pronounced /ˈkɒn.tents/). The singular 'content' would be unusual here except in technical contexts. Do not confuse with sense 3 (table of contents), which also uses 'contents' but refers specifically to a list of sections in a publication.
常見錯誤
5. the quantity or percentage of a specific material that exists within another mat
the quantity or percentage of a specific material that exists within another material, for example the fat in cheese, the iron in vegetables, or the water in soil.
The fat content of this cheese is much higher than that of low-fat yogurt.
fat content of + food (noun + content of)
Doctors recommend checking the sugar content of packaged drinks before buying them.
The iron content in spinach is important for people who do not eat red meat.
The water content of the soil determines which crops can grow well in the area.
Battery labels must show the heavy-metal content to help consumers recycle them safely.
- proportion
more general; can refer to any part of a whole, not just substances
- level
emphasises the degree or concentration rather than the raw amount
- percentage
more specific, used when the amount is expressed as a percentage
文法句型
[substance] content of + [food/product/material]
high/low content of
用法筆記
Pronounced /ˈkɒn.tent/ (KON-tent) — same as noun senses 2–5, different from the adjective/verb /kənˈtent/. This sense is common in scientific, nutritional, and technical writing. It always appears with a preceding noun specifying the substance (e.g., 'fat content', 'alcohol content', 'moisture content').
常見錯誤
6. a feeling of quiet happiness and satisfaction with your life or current situatio
a feeling of quiet happiness and satisfaction with your life or current situation, without needing or wanting anything more.
Lisa gazed at her blooming garden with deep content, feeling that all her hard work had paid off.
with + content (prepositional phrase)
A look of quiet content spread across Haruto’s face as he watched the sunset over the lake.
The children played to their heart’s content in the park until the street lights came on.
After years of city stress, Hugo finally found content in a simple life by the coast.
- contentment
more common than 'content' as a noun; means the same but is the standard word
- satisfaction
broader, can come from specific achievements, not only general life situation
- peace of mind
emphasises freedom from worry rather than positive happiness
- discontent
a feeling of unhappiness with one's situation
- dissatisfaction
a stronger, more active unhappiness
文法句型
to one's heart's content
with content
用法筆記
This noun sense (pronounced /kənˈtent/, stress on second syllable) shares its pronunciation with the adjective and verb. It is far less common than the countable noun senses (pronounced /ˈkɒn.tent/). The fixed phrase 'to one’s heart’s content' (meaning as much as one wants) is the most frequently used form of this sense.