contingent

[ kuhn-tin-juhnt ]

/ kənˈtɪn dʒənt /

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See synonyms for contingent on Thesaurus.com

adjective

dependent for existence, occurrence, character, etc., on something not yet certain; conditional (often followed by on or upon): Our plans are contingent on the weather.

liable to happen or not; uncertain; possible: They had to plan for contingent expenses.

happening by chance or without known cause; fortuitous; accidental: contingent occurrences.

Logic. (of a proposition) neither logically necessary nor logically impossible, so that its truth or falsity can be established only by sensory observation.

noun

a quota of troops furnished.

any one of the representative groups composing an assemblage: the New York contingent at a national convention.

the proportion that falls to one as a share to be contributed or furnished.

something contingent; contingency.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of contingent

1350–1400; late Middle English (present participle) (<Middle French ) <Latin contingent- (stem of contingēns, present participle of contingere), equivalent to con-con- + ting-, variant stem of tangere to touch + -ent--ent

OTHER WORDS FROM contingent

con·tin·gent·ly, adverbnon·con·tin·gent, adjectivenon·con·tin·gent·ly, adverbun·con·tin·gent, adjective

un·con·tin·gent·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use contingent in a sentence

In recent weeks, San Diego Unified officials have started pushing the idea that reopening schools will be contingent on the availability of widespread testing within schools.
Morning Report: Purple Haze|Voice of San Diego|November 11, 2020|Voice of San Diego
While there’s a large contingent of women in nonphysician medical roles and studying at medical schools, the gender gap widens from residency onward.
Women are America’s most important health care customers. So why is the system designed by men?|jakemeth|November 5, 2020|Fortune
Lululemon joins the ranks of companies ranging from Clorox and Walmart to Target and Adidas, all of which have introduced similar social and environmental goals in recent years as a growing contingent of their consumers have demanded them.
Lululemon announces expanded size range and sustainable fabrics in new good citizenship push|Phil Wahba|October 28, 2020|Fortune
School leaders emphasized the plan is contingent on the severity of the virus in the community at the time, as well as the success of “phase one.”
Morning Report: Introducing The Voice Poll|Voice of San Diego|October 28, 2020|Voice of San Diego

Several lessons follow from seeing your own knowledge as contingent on others’.
Why you don’t really know what you know|Katie McLean|October 21, 2020|MIT Technology Review
We must therefore recognize that what possesses primary and absolute existence is anterior to what exists contingently.
Plotinos: Complete Works, v. 3|Plotinos (Plotinus)
This is usually committed, when in connexed Propositions the Terms adhere contingently.
The Works of Sir Thomas Browne (Volume 1 of 3)|Thomas Browne
The objects of sense-perception are external, individual, "nearest to sense," and occasionally or contingently present to sense.
Christianity and Greek Philosophy|Benjamin Franklin Cocker
"Even contingently, Mrs. Trafford will not involve herself in my fortunes," said he, half haughtily.
Tony Butler|Charles James Lever
The dynamical only specify rules whereby we can define the relation in which existences contingently given are connected.
A Commentary to Kant's 'Critique of Pure Reason'|Norman Kemp Smith

British Dictionary definitions for contingent

contingent

/ (kənˈtɪndʒənt) /

adjective

(when postpositive, often foll by on or upon) dependent on events, conditions, etc, not yet known; conditional

logic (of a proposition) true under certain conditions, false under others; not necessary

(in systemic grammar) denoting contingency (sense 4)

metaphysics (of some being) existing only as a matter of fact; not necessarily existing

happening by chance or without known cause; accidental

that may or may not happen; uncertain

noun

a part of a military force, parade, etc

a representative group distinguished by common origin, interests, etc, that is part of a larger group or gathering

a possible or chance occurrence

Derived forms of contingent

contingently, adverb

Word Origin for contingent

C14: from Latin contingere to touch, fall to one's lot, befall; see also contact

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

contingent

Origin of contingent

OTHER WORDS FROM contingent

Words related to contingent

How to use contingent in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for contingent

Derived forms of contingent

Word Origin for contingent