Cool MateContemplate vs Look down
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Contemplate
Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
Look down
Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: Contemplate
| Contemplate | Look down | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈkɒntəmpleɪt/","/ˈkɒntəmpleɪts/","/ˈkɒntəmpleɪtɪd/","/ˈkɒntəmpleɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkɑːntəmpleɪt/","/ˈkɑːntəmpleɪts/","/ˈkɑːntəmpleɪtɪd/","/ˈkɑːntəmpleɪtɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //lʊk daʊn//🇺🇸 //lʊk daʊn// |
| Meaning | To think deeply about something. | To feel superior to someone or something. |
| Example | She likes to contemplate the meaning of life during long walks in the park. | She tends to look down on people who don't share her interests. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | seriously, even, be prepared to, be willing to, cannot, too awful to contemplate, too horrible to contemplate, seriously, even, be prepared to, be willing to, cannot, too awful to contemplate, too horrible to contemplate, seriously, even, be prepared to, be willing to, cannot, too awful to contemplate, too horrible to contemplate | look down on, look down upon, look down at |
| Antonyms | ignore, disregard, dismiss | admire, respect, honor |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'compliment' or 'contemplate' due to similar sounds., Using intransitively (e.g., 'I contemplate' without specifying what)., Overusing in informal contexts where simpler words like 'think' may be better. | 'Look down' used without 'on' in expressions., Confusing 'look down on' with 'look up to'., Incorrectly using 'look down at' instead of 'look down on'. |
| Usage notes | Used in both formal and informal contexts. It’s appropriate when discussing serious topics or decisions. Avoid using it in lighthearted situations. | Use 'look down on' to express a sense of superiority or disdain towards people or their actions. Avoid in respectful or formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Contemplate vs Look down
What's the difference between Contemplate and Look down?
Contemplate: To think deeply about something. Look down: To feel superior to someone or something.
Which is more common: Contemplate and Look down?
Contemplate is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Contemplate: She likes to contemplate the meaning of life during long walks in the park. Look down: She tends to look down on people who don't share her interests.
Can I use Contemplate and Look down interchangeably?
Not always. Contemplate and Look down are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.