contingency
- 01 C1 Advanced
something that might happen in the future, especially a problem, that you must be prepared for.
a future event or circumstance which is possible but cannot be predicted with certainty.
Simple“We have a contingency plan in case the outdoor wedding is ruined by rain.”
In context“The government has developed several contingencies to address a potential energy crisis during the winter months.”
UsageOften used with the preposition 'for'.
Teacher's tipLearners often encounter this in the phrase 'contingency plan', which is more common in business than the standalone noun.
SynonymsAntonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
an extra amount of money that is saved to pay for unexpected costs.
a sum of money set aside to cover unforeseen expenses, particularly within a project budget or financial contract.
Simple“The total budget includes a ten percent contingency for any extra building costs.”
In context“The project manager insisted on a significant contingency to mitigate the risks associated with fluctuating raw material prices.”
UsageUsually functions as an uncountable noun when referring to the general fund, but countable when referring to specific line items.
Teacher's tipIn professional project management, this is a standard term for the 'safety margin' in a budget.
- 03 C2 Proficiency
the fact that something depends on chance or other events to happen.
the philosophical or logical status of being neither necessary nor impossible; the quality of happening by chance.
Simple“The contingency of life means that even the best plans can change in a second.”
In context“The historian argued that the revolution was a matter of historical contingency rather than an inevitable outcome of social forces.”
UsageUncountable in this abstract sense.
Teacher's tipThis is a high-level academic sense used in philosophy and logic to discuss things that are not guaranteed to happen.
SynonymsAntonyms
Usage contingency plan · contingency table
“Ensuring treatment providers have contingency plans for patients amid disaster, and including these providers in community disaster preparedness and recovery planning, are two key steps that could help limit future harm elsewhere.”
“Government contingency plans had "never been stress tested" and officials and ministers were "forced to improvise, establishing new emergency procurement and distribution systems within days".”
From contingent + -cy (16th century).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.