adj
Uncommon
contingent
kuhn-TIHN-juhnt
Contingent (adj) means Dependent on something else that is uncertain; conditional. Example: “Her promotion is contingent on the project's success.”
adj
1
Dependent on something else that is uncertain; conditional.
"Her promotion is contingent on the project's success."
"The trip is contingent on good weather, so pack an umbrella just in case."
"Our offer is contingent upon a satisfactory report from the surveyor."
noun
1
A group representing a larger body, such as troops or delegates sent to an event.
"A large contingent of protesters gathered outside the courthouse."
"A small contingent from our school travelled to the national science fair."
"The Scottish contingent arrived at the festival early, carrying banners and drums."
How to use contingent
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither "dependent on something uncertain" (adjective) or "a group sent to represent a larger whole" (noun).
Common pairings
contingent on
a large contingent
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Word forms
- Plural
- contingents
- Comparative
- more contingent
- Superlative
- most contingent
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Her promotion is _____ on the project's success.
Etymology
From Old French contingent, from Medieval Latin contingens, "possible," the present participle of contingere ("to touch, to happen") — com- ("together") + tangere ("to touch").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
noncontingent
Related words
Rhymes for contingent
See all rhymes for contingent →Frequently asked questions
What does “contingent” mean?
The word “contingent” means dependent on something else that is uncertain; conditional. In plain terms, either "dependent on something uncertain" (adjective) or "a group sent to represent a larger whole" (noun).
How do you pronounce “contingent”?
“Contingent” is pronounced kuhn-TIHN-juhnt (/kənˈtɪn.d͡ʒənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “contingent” in a sentence?
Here is “contingent” used in a sentence: “Her promotion is contingent on the project's success.”
What is the opposite of “contingent”?
The opposite of “contingent” — its antonyms — is noncontingent.
What part of speech is “contingent”?
Depending on how it is used, “contingent” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “contingent” come from?
The word “contingent” comes from Medieval Latin. From Old French contingent, from Medieval Latin contingens, "possible," the present participle of contingere ("to touch, to happen") — com- ("together") + tangere ("to touch").
Is “contingent” a common word?
“Contingent” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “contingent” have?
“Contingent” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: dependent on something else that is uncertain; conditional.
What is the difference between contingent and dependent?
Contingent and dependent both describe something that relies on another factor, but contingent specifically implies that the outcome is uncertain or conditional, such as a job offer contingent on a background check. Dependent is broader and does not necessarily imply uncertainty.
How is contingent used as a noun versus an adjective?
As an adjective, contingent means dependent on something else that is uncertain, as in funding contingent on approval. As a noun, a contingent refers to a group representing a larger body, such as a contingent of troops or a delegation sent to a conference.
What does a contingency plan mean in relation to contingent?
A contingency plan is a backup plan prepared for an event that is contingent, meaning uncertain and dependent on future conditions. Both words share the same root idea that something may or may not happen, so plans are made in case the conditional event occurs.
