adjective
Uncommon
contracting
Contracting (adjective) means becoming smaller; drawing inward. Example: “The contracting economy led to widespread job losses.”
adjective
1
Becoming smaller; drawing inward.
"The contracting economy led to widespread job losses."
"A contracting muscle pulls the bone closer to the joint."
"Scientists watched the contracting cloud of gas shrink over millions of years."
noun
1
The business of taking on work under formal agreements, especially in construction.
"He has run a small contracting business for over a decade."
"She moved from office work into contracting and now builds extensions for homeowners."
"Contracting suits him because he can choose which jobs to take on."
How to use contracting
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishShrinking, or the trade of doing agreed work for clients.
Common pairings
contracting firm
contracting party
a contracting market
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Word forms
- Plural
- contractings
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The _____ economy led to widespread job losses.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for contracting
See all rhymes for contracting →Frequently asked questions
What does “contracting” mean?
The word “contracting” means becoming smaller; drawing inward. In plain terms, shrinking, or the trade of doing agreed work for clients.
How do you use “contracting” in a sentence?
Here is “contracting” used in a sentence: “The contracting economy led to widespread job losses.”
What part of speech is “contracting”?
Depending on how it is used, “contracting” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “contracting” a common word?
“Contracting” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “contracting” have?
“Contracting” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: becoming smaller; drawing inward.
What is the difference between "contracting" as an adjective and as a noun in business?
As an adjective, "contracting" describes something becoming smaller or drawing inward, such as "a contracting economy." As a noun, it refers to the business of taking on work under formal agreements, especially in construction, such as "he works in contracting."
What does "contracting" mean in the construction industry?
In construction, "contracting" refers to the business of taking on work under formal agreements, where a contractor is hired to complete a project according to a signed contract.
Is "contracting" the same as "shrinking"?
In its adjective sense, "contracting" and "shrinking" both describe something becoming smaller or drawing inward, and are often used interchangeably for things like muscles or economies. However, "contracting" is also used as a noun for the construction business, a meaning "shrinking" does not share.
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