Contious vs. Contentious — What's the Difference?

Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Published on September 20, 2023
"Contious" is incorrect. The correct spelling is "contentious," meaning causing or likely to provoke controversy or dispute.

Difference Between Contious and Contentious
Table of Contents
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Which is correct: Contious or Contentious
How to spell Contentious?

Contious
Incorrect Spelling

Contentious
Correct Spelling
Key Differences
"Contentious" contains "tious" not "tous."

Fiza Rafique
Sep 20, 2023
Associate "contentious" with "tension" for the “ten” part.

Fiza Rafique
Sep 20, 2023
Remember "contention" as a base word for "contentious."

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Sep 20, 2023
Think of "contest" where there is contention.

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Sep 20, 2023
"Contentious" sounds like "contend-tious."

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Sep 20, 2023
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Compare with Definitions
Contious
Contious is an incorrect spelling of contentious.

Fiza Rafique
Sep 14, 2023
Contentious
Provoking heated disagreements.
The meeting became contentious after the proposal.

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Sep 14, 2023
Contentious
Causing or likely to provoke dispute.
The politician's speech was highly contentious.

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Sep 14, 2023
Contentious
Controversial or argumentative in nature.
The topic was contentious among the group.

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Sep 14, 2023
Contentious
Being the subject of debate.
Climate change remains a contentious issue.

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Sep 14, 2023
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Contentious
Given to contention; quarrelsome.

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Sep 13, 2023
Contentious
Involving or causing contention; controversial
"a central and contentious element of the book" (Tim W. Ferguson).

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Sep 13, 2023
Contentious
Marked by heated arguments or controversy.

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Sep 13, 2023
Contentious
Given to struggling with others out of jealousy or discord.

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Sep 13, 2023
Contentious
Fond of contention; given to angry debate; provoking dispute or contention; quarrelsome.
Despotic and contentious temper.

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Sep 13, 2023
Contentious
Relating to contention or strife; involving or characterized by contention.
More cheerful, though not less contentious, regions.

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Contentious
Contested; litigated; litigious; having power to decide controversy.

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Sep 13, 2023
Contentious
Inclined or showing an inclination to dispute or disagree, even to engage in law suits;
A style described as abrasive and contentious
A disputatious lawyer
A litigious and acrimonious spirit

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Sep 13, 2023
Contentious
Involving or likely to cause controversy;
A central and contentious element of the book

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Sep 13, 2023
Contentious
Having or showing a ready disposition to fight;
Bellicose young officers
A combative impulse
A contentious nature

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Sep 13, 2023
Contentious
Inclined to cause arguments or strife.
He had a contentious personality.

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Sep 14, 2023
Common Curiosities
What is the root word of contentious?
The root is "contention."

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Sep 20, 2023
What is the verb form of contentious?
Contend.

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Sep 20, 2023
Which vowel is used before contentious?
The vowel "a" can be used, as in "a contentious."

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Which conjunction is used with contentious?
"And" can be used.

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Why is it called contentious?
Derived from Latin "contentiosus," it refers to being prone to contention or dispute.

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Sep 20, 2023
Is contentious a noun or adjective?
It's an adjective.

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Sep 20, 2023
Is contentious an abstract noun?
No, but "contention" is.

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Sep 20, 2023
Is contentious a negative or positive word?
Typically negative.

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Sep 20, 2023
What is the pronunciation of contentious?
/kənˈtɛnʃəs/.

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Sep 20, 2023
What is the plural form of contentious?
Adjectives like "contentious" don't have plural forms.

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Sep 20, 2023
What is the first form of contentious?
Not applicable since "contentious" is an adjective.

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Sep 20, 2023
What is the third form of contentious?
Not applicable.

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Sep 20, 2023
What is the singular form of contentious?
Contentious (it's an adjective, so it doesn't have a plural form).

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Sep 20, 2023
Which preposition is used with contentious?
"About" is common, e.g., "contentious about the topic."

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Sep 20, 2023
Is the contentious term a metaphor?
No, but can be used metaphorically.

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Sep 20, 2023
Is the word contentious imperative?
No.

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Sep 20, 2023
How many syllables are in contentious?
3 syllables.

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Sep 20, 2023
Is contentious a vowel or consonant?
"Contentious" is a word made up of both.

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Sep 20, 2023
What is the second form of contentious?
Not applicable.

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Sep 20, 2023
What is a stressed syllable in contentious?
The second syllable, "ten."

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Sep 20, 2023
What part of speech is contentious?
Adjective.

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Sep 20, 2023
Which article is used with contentious?
"A" can be used, as in "a contentious debate."

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Sep 20, 2023
Is contentious an adverb?
No.

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Sep 20, 2023
Is contentious a countable noun?
No, it's an adjective.

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Sep 20, 2023
Is contentious a collective noun?
No.

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Sep 20, 2023
How do we divide contentious into syllables?
con-ten-tious.

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Sep 20, 2023
What is another term for contentious?
Disputatious.

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Sep 20, 2023
What is the opposite of contentious?
Agreeable.

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Sep 20, 2023
Which determiner is used with contentious?
"This" can be used, like "this contentious matter."

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Sep 20, 2023
How is contentious used in a sentence?
The debate became more heated due to the contentious remarks from both sides.

Fiza Rafique
Sep 20, 2023
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content editor at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.

Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.