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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 notes

In plain EnglishUnable to hold something back — most often used for loss of bladder or bowel control.

Common pairings
become incontinent incontinent patient

Word forms

more incontinent comparative, incontinents plural, most incontinent superlative

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Test yourself on “incontinent” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

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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").

Origin: Latin

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.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial