ill content

Meanings

1. 1adjectivenot comparableformalold-fashioned

   Not happy or satisfied with a situation or with what one has.

   Grammar: Used after a linking verb like 'be' or 'seem': 'He was ill content with the result.' It is not used before a noun.

   Patterns

   • be ill content
   • be ill content with something
   • seem ill content

   He was ill content with his small share of the land.

   She seemed ill content, though she said nothing.

   The villagers were ill content and wanted change.

2. 2adjectivenot comparableformalold-fashioned

   Unwilling or reluctant to do something.

   Grammar: Followed by 'to' plus a verb: 'ill content to wait'.

   Patterns

   • be ill content to do something

   They were ill content to wait another year for the decision.

   I am ill content to leave the matter unresolved.

Common combinations

ill content with something

The workers were ill content with their low pay.

ill content to do something

He was ill content to accept the offer without a discussion.

seem ill content

The old king seemed ill content despite his riches.

grow ill content

The people grew ill content under the new ruler.

Synonyms and how they differ

discontented

Discontented is the modern, more common word for the same feeling; ill content sounds literary or old-fashioned.

dissatisfied

Dissatisfied is more neutral and common in everyday speech, while ill content has a stronger literary flavor.

unhappy

Unhappy is a general word for sadness; ill content specifically means not satisfied with a situation.

Opposites

Word family

content adjective

Happy and satisfied with what one has.

contentment noun

The feeling of being happy and satisfied.

discontent noun

A feeling of not being satisfied.

discontented adjective

Not happy or satisfied.

Commonly confused: ill content or ill at ease?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “ill content”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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