incontinent

American  

[in-kon-tn-uhnt] / ɪnˈkɒn tn ənt /

adjective

1. unable to restrain natural discharges or evacuations of urine or feces.

2. unable to contain or retain (usually followed byof ).

   incontinent of temper.

3. lacking in moderation or self-control, especially of sexual desire.

4. unceasing or unrestrained.

   an incontinent flow of talk.

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incontinent ¹ British  

/ ɪnˈkɒntɪnənt /

adjective

1. lacking in restraint or control, esp sexually

2. relating to or exhibiting involuntary urination or defecation

3. (foll by of) having little or no control (over)

4. unrestrained; uncontrolled

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incontinent ² British  

/ ɪnˈkɒntɪnənt /

adverb

1. obsolete words for immediately

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Other Word Forms

• incontinence noun
• incontinency noun
• incontinently adverb

Etymology

Origin of incontinent

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

Example Sentences

He fell into a coma, became incontinent and quadriplegic.

From Barron's • Jan. 29, 2026

Unfortunately, my mum's incontinent so she was left lying in her own urine.

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2025

If you’ve ever tried to wrangle a hissing, scratching, flailing, selectively incontinent beast into a cat carrier, you’ll appreciate the way Amy Attas practices veterinary medicine: She makes house calls.

From New York Times • Jun. 19, 2024

Competent lawyers absolutely would not put him on the stand anyway — the man is emotionally incontinent and too proud of his crimes to avoid confessing.

From Salon • Nov. 16, 2023

If your aged parents have grown tiresome or incontinent, you put them away where others will deal with their dirty diapers and dementia.

From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich