Word
contingency
Phoneticscon·tin·gen·cy, stress on the second syllable
US/kənˈtɪndʒənsi/
UK/kəntˈɪndʒənsi/
Definitions
01a backup plan or provision
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal
n. something that might happen in the future, especially a problem, that you must be prepared for.
n. a future event or circumstance which is possible but cannot be predicted with certainty.
“We have a contingency plan in case the outdoor wedding is ruined by rain.”
“The government has developed several contingencies to address a potential energy crisis during the winter months.”
Usage
Often used with the preposition 'for'.
Teaching tip
Learners often encounter this in the phrase 'contingency plan', which is more common in business than the standalone noun.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02extra money for emergencies
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Finance Technical · Formal
n. an extra amount of money that is saved to pay for unexpected costs.
n. a sum of money set aside to cover unforeseen expenses, particularly within a project budget or financial contract.
“The total budget includes a ten percent contingency for any extra building costs.”
“The project manager insisted on a significant contingency to mitigate the risks associated with fluctuating raw material prices.”
Usage
Usually functions as an uncountable noun when referring to the general fund, but countable when referring to specific line items.
Teaching tip
In professional project management, this is a standard term for the 'safety margin' in a budget.
03the state of being uncertain
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Academic · Formal
n. the fact that something depends on chance or other events to happen.
n. the philosophical or logical status of being neither necessary nor impossible; the quality of happening by chance.
“The contingency of life means that even the best plans can change in a second.”
“The historian argued that the revolution was a matter of historical contingency rather than an inevitable outcome of social forces.”
Usage
Uncountable in this abstract sense.
Teaching tip
This is a high-level academic sense used in philosophy and logic to discuss things that are not guaranteed to happen.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “contingency” in context.
Noun
01. contingency plan
“The company has a contingency plan in place in case the merger falls through.”
noun + noun
02. contingency table
“The researcher used a contingency table to analyze the relationship between the two categorical variables.”
noun + noun
Real-World Examples
“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".” Etymology
From contingent + -cy (16th century).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domains
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/contingency