incontinent

[ in-kon-tn-uhnt ]

See synonyms for: incontinent incontinence incontinency on Thesaurus.com

adjective

unable to restrain natural discharges or evacuations of urine or feces.
unable to contain or retain (usually followed by of): incontinent of temper.

lacking in moderation or self-control, especially of sexual desire.
unceasing or unrestrained: an incontinent flow of talk.

Origin of incontinent

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin incontinent- (stem of incontinēns ); see in-³, continent (adjective)

Other words from incontinent

in·con·ti·nence, in·con·ti·nen·cy, noun

Words that may be confused with incontinent

incontinent , inconsistent

Words Nearby incontinent

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

How to use incontinent in a sentence

For example, he became incontinent and his personality was very changed.
Consciousness Is Just a Feeling - Issue 98: Mind | Steve Paulson | March 3, 2021 | Nautilus
The famously unscripted, undisciplined, verbally incontinent VP tends to offer a little something for everyone.
The Pros and Cons of Joe Biden Hitting the Campaign Trail | Michelle Cottle | March 8, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
What followed for eight years could have been more accurately called “incontinent conservatism.”
Quit Redefining Conservatism | Christopher Buckley | February 19, 2010 | THE DAILY BEAST
For the incontinent, whether in the bonds of wedlock or not, Gods direct, providential judgments will overtake.
The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews | Thomas Charles Edwards
Ceux qui estoient dedans n'allerent pas incontinent fond, ils s'attacherent quelque temps la challouppe.
History of the Discovery of the Northwest by John Nicolet in 1634 | Consul Willshire Butterfield

All his feelings were of the same incontinent maudlin kind, easily flowing into temptation, and subjecting themselves to a ruler.
The Town | Leigh Hunt
It was so now; but the more part melted away incontinent until but three were left.
The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. 11 (of 25) | Robert Louis Stevenson
She threw up her chin and made a step and a cry at me, so that I fell back incontinent.
The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. 11 (of 25) | Robert Louis Stevenson

British Dictionary definitions for incontinent (1 of 2)

incontinent¹

/ (ɪnˈkɒntɪnənt) /

adjective

lacking in restraint or control, esp sexually
relating to or exhibiting involuntary urination or defecation

(foll by of) having little or no control (over)
unrestrained; uncontrolled

Origin of incontinent

C14: from Old French, from Latin incontinens, from in- 1 + continere to hold, restrain

Derived forms of incontinent

incontinence or incontinency, noun
incontinently, adverb

British Dictionary definitions for incontinent (2 of 2)

incontinent²

incontinently

/ (ɪnˈkɒntɪnənt) /

adverb

obsolete words for immediately

Origin of incontinent

C15: from Late Latin in continentī tempore, literally: in continuous time, that is, with no interval

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

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