Word
continental
Phoneticscon·ti·nen·tal, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌkɑntəˈnɛnəɫ/
UK/kˌɒntɪnˈɛntəl/
Definitions
01relating to a continent
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. relating to one of the large landmasses of the world, like Africa or Asia.
adj. of or relating to a continent or continents in a general geographical sense.
“The movement of continental plates can cause powerful earthquakes over millions of years.”
“Scientists studied the continental shelf to better understand the transition between the mainland and the deep ocean floor.”
Synonyms
02mainland Europe
B2 · Upper Intermediate British English
adj. relating to the main part of Europe, not including islands like the UK or Ireland.
adj. characteristic of or relating to mainland Europe as distinct from the British Isles or other offshore islands.
“We enjoyed a traditional continental breakfast with coffee and croissants at the hotel.”
“Many British travellers prefer the continental climate of southern France for their summer holidays.”
Antonyms
03US Revolutionary War
C1 · Advanced Law American English · Formal
adj. relating to the American colonies during the time they fought for independence from Britain.
adj. relating to the thirteen colonies of British North America during the American Revolutionary War period.
“The Continental Congress met to discuss the future of the new nation.”
“General Washington led the Continental Army through several harsh winters before securing a final victory.”
04a person from mainland Europe
C1 · Advanced Countable noun British English · Formal
n. a person who comes from the main part of Europe.
n. a person living in or coming from mainland Europe.
“The café was a popular meeting spot for locals and Continentals alike.”
“As a Continental, he found the British obsession with the weather quite amusing during his first year in London.”
Synonyms
05historical US currency
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun American English · Archaic
n. a piece of paper money used in America during the Revolutionary War.
n. a piece of paper scrip issued by the Continental Congress, which lost most of its value by the end of the war.
“By the end of the war, the paper continental was worth almost nothing.”
“The phrase 'not worth a continental' became a common American idiom for items of zero value due to the currency's rapid inflation.”
Usage
Often used in the idiom 'not worth a continental' to mean something is worthless.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Bookshops contacted by the Guardian say they have been receiving orders from buyers in the US, Canada, continental Europe and the UK.” “Snail-feeding carabid beetles, including Carabus blaptoides, have undergone adaptive radiation on continents and continental islands across the Northern Hemisphere.” Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Idioms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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