contract
KONT-rakt
Contract (noun) means a written or spoken agreement, especially one intended to be enforceable by law. Example: “Read the contract carefully before you put your name at the bottom.”
noun
1
A written or spoken agreement, especially one intended to be enforceable by law.
"Read the contract carefully before you put your name at the bottom."
"She signed a two-year contract with the new employer."
"The builders breached the contract by missing the deadline."
verb
1
To become smaller, tighter, or shorter.
"Muscles contract when you lift something heavy."
"Metal contracts as it cools."
"Her pupils contracted in the bright sunlight."
2
To catch or develop an illness.
"Children can easily contract colds at nursery."
"Several hikers contracted a stomach bug from drinking untreated stream water."
"He contracted malaria while traveling abroad."
3
To arrange for work to be done under a formal agreement.
"We contracted a plumber to fit the new bathroom."
"The airline contracts outside companies to clean its aircraft overnight."
"The council contracted a local firm to repair the roads."
How to use contract
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA formal agreement between parties, or, as a verb, to shrink — or to catch a disease.
Common mistake
Note the stress shift: as a noun it's CON-tract, but as a verb meaning "to shrink" or "agree" it's con-TRACT.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
sign a contract
breach of contract
contract a disease
contract muscles
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Word forms
- Plural
- contracts
- Third person singular
- contracts
- Past tense
- contracted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Read the _____ carefully before you put your name at the bottom.
Etymology
From Old French contract, from Latin contractus, the noun from contrahere ("to draw together, to conclude a bargain") — from con- ("together") plus trahere ("to draw, pull").
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “contract” mean?
The word “contract” means a written or spoken agreement, especially one intended to be enforceable by law. In plain terms, a formal agreement between parties, or, as a verb, to shrink — or to catch a disease.
How do you pronounce “contract”?
“Contract” is pronounced KONT-rakt (/ˈkɑntɹækt/ in IPA).
How do you use “contract” in a sentence?
Here is “contract” used in a sentence: “She signed a two-year contract with the new employer.”
What is the opposite of “contract”?
The opposite of “contract” — its antonyms — are increase, expand, grow and lengthen.
What part of speech is “contract”?
Depending on how it is used, “contract” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “contract” come from?
The word “contract” comes from Latin. From Old French contract, from Latin contractus, the noun from contrahere ("to draw together, to conclude a bargain") — from con- ("together") plus trahere ("to draw, pull").
Is “contract” a common word?
“Contract” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “contract” have?
“Contract” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a written or spoken agreement, especially one intended to be enforceable by law.
What is the difference between a contract and an agreement?
Every contract is an agreement, but not every agreement is a contract. An agreement is simply a shared understanding between parties. It becomes a contract when it meets legal requirements — such as an offer, acceptance, and something of value exchanged — that make it enforceable in a court of law.
What makes a contract legally binding?
A contract typically needs several elements: a clear offer, acceptance of that offer, 'consideration' (something of value exchanged), an intention to be legally bound, and parties with the capacity to agree. When these are present and the terms are lawful, the agreement can usually be enforced in court.
Can a contract be spoken rather than written?
Yes. A verbal contract can be just as valid as a written one, and people make them constantly — agreeing a price or accepting a job. The catch is proof: without a written record, it is far harder to show what was agreed. Some contracts, such as property sales, must legally be in writing.
Can a contract be broken?
It can, but doing so usually has consequences. When one party fails to meet its terms, that is a 'breach', and the other side may claim compensation or other remedies through the courts. Contracts can also be ended lawfully — by mutual agreement, or under terms written into the deal itself.
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