adj
incontinent
ihng-KON-tih-nuhnt
Incontinent (adj) means Unable to control the bladder or bowels. Example: “The elderly dog had become incontinent and needed extra care.”
adj
1
Unable to control the bladder or bowels.
"The elderly dog had become incontinent and needed extra care."
2
Lacking self-restraint, especially regarding desires or impulses.
"He was incontinent in his spending, buying whatever caught his eye."
How to use incontinent
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUnable to hold something back — most often used for loss of bladder or bowel control.
Common pairings
become incontinent
incontinent patient
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Word forms
- Plural
- incontinents
- Comparative
- more incontinent
- Superlative
- most incontinent
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The elderly dog had become _____ and needed extra care.
Etymology
From Old French incontinent, from Latin incontinens, from in- ("not") plus continens ("holding together, restrained").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for incontinent
See all rhymes for incontinent →Frequently asked questions
What does “incontinent” mean?
The word “incontinent” means unable to control the bladder or bowels. In plain terms, unable to hold something back — most often used for loss of bladder or bowel control.
How do you pronounce “incontinent”?
“Incontinent” is pronounced ihng-KON-tih-nuhnt (/ɪŋˈkɒntɪnənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “incontinent” in a sentence?
Here is “incontinent” used in a sentence: “The elderly dog had become incontinent and needed extra care.”
What is the opposite of “incontinent”?
The opposite of “incontinent” — its antonyms — are continent and restrained.
What part of speech is “incontinent”?
“Incontinent” is an adjective.
Where does the word “incontinent” come from?
The word “incontinent” comes from Latin. From Old French incontinent, from Latin incontinens, from in- ("not") plus continens ("holding together, restrained").
How many meanings does “incontinent” have?
“Incontinent” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: unable to control the bladder or bowels.
