Word
contingent
Phoneticscon·tin·gent, stress on the second syllable
US/kənˈtɪndʒənt/
UK/kəntˈɪndʒənt/
Definitions
01dependent on something
C1 · Advanced Formal · Academic
adj. happening only if something else happens first.
adj. dependent on or conditioned by something else; occurring only if certain circumstances are met.
“The sale of the house is contingent on the buyer getting a bank loan.”
“The success of the merger is contingent upon the board's approval of the revised financial projections by the end of the quarter.”
Usage
Usually followed by the preposition 'on' or 'upon'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02uncertain or possible
C2 · Proficiency Academic · Technical
adj. describing something that might happen but is not certain.
adj. referring to an event that is possible but not guaranteed to occur; not logically necessary.
“We need to plan for contingent risks that might affect our travel.”
“The philosopher argued that human existence is a contingent fact rather than a logical necessity.”
Antonyms
03a representative group
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal
n. a group of people who represent a larger organization or country.
n. a gathering of persons representative of some larger group; often used for military units or political delegations.
“The French contingent at the conference was the largest one there.”
“The largest contingent of peacekeepers was deployed to the border region to monitor the ceasefire agreement.”
Synonyms
04an unexpected event
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Formal · Technical
n. an event that might happen in the future, especially one that causes problems.
n. an incidental event or circumstance that is unforeseen or dependent on chance.
“The budget includes a small amount of money for any unexpected contingent.”
“The legal team prepared for every possible contingent that might arise during the cross-examination of the lead witness.”
Usage
In modern usage, 'contingency' is more common for this sense.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“On board the vessels were more than 8,600 foreign soldiers, the first major contingent of German troops to reach the American Colonies.” “The most radical contingent dominated the conversation, proposing a mass breakout as a way for the men to redeem themselves after the humiliation of surrendering.” Etymology
From Middle English, from Old French contingent, from Medieval Latin contingens (“possible, contingent”), present participle of contingere (“to touch, meet, attain to, happen”), from com- (“together”) + tangere (“to touch”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- 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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englishreference.com/q/contingent