Word
intercontinental
Phoneticsin·ter·con·ti·nen·tal, stress on the fifth syllable
US/ˌɪntɝˌkɑntəˈnɛntəɫ/
UK/ˌɪntəkˌɒntɪnˈɛntəl/
Definition
adj. connecting or traveling between two or more continents. You use this to describe things like very long flights or large business deals.
adj. relating to or connecting two or more continents. Typically used attributively to describe travel, communication, or physical infrastructure spanning vast geographic distances.
Examples
“The airline offers several intercontinental flights every day.”
“The new intercontinental trade agreement aims to reduce tariffs between European and South American markets.”
“The development of intercontinental ballistic missiles fundamentally altered the landscape of global diplomacy by making distance an insufficient defense against rapid military strikes.”
Examples
simple
“The airline offers several intercontinental flights every day.”
contextual
“The new intercontinental trade agreement aims to reduce tariffs between European and South American markets.”
complex
“The development of intercontinental ballistic missiles fundamentally altered the landscape of global diplomacy by making distance an insufficient defense against rapid military strikes.”
Usage
Typically placed before the noun it modifies.
Real-World Examples
“It was more severe as it affected intercontinental and long-haul travel via UK airspace.” “At least 13 of India's 18 intercontinental cables come ashore within six kilometres of Mumbai's Versova beach.” Etymology
From inter- + continental.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/intercontinental