contingent

1 of 2

adjective

con·​tin·​gent kən-ˈtin-jənt How to pronounce contingent (audio)
1
: dependent on or conditioned by something else
Payment is contingent on fulfillment of certain conditions.
a plan contingent on the weather
2
: likely but not certain to happen : possible
3
: not logically necessary
especially : empirical
4
a
: happening by chance or unforeseen causes
b
: subject to chance or unseen effects : unpredictable
c
: intended for use in circumstances not completely foreseen
contingent funds
5
: not necessitated : determined by free choice
contingently adverb

contingent

2 of 2

noun

1
: a representative group : delegation, detachment
a diplomatic contingent
2
: something contingent (see contingent entry 1) : contingency
Choose the Right Synonym for contingent

accidental, fortuitous, casual, contingent mean not amenable to planning or prediction.

accidental stresses chance.

any resemblance to actual persons is entirely accidental

fortuitous so strongly suggests chance that it often connotes entire absence of cause.

a series of fortuitous events

casual stresses lack of real or apparent premeditation or intent.

a casual encounter with a stranger

contingent suggests possibility of happening but stresses uncertainty and dependence on other future events for existence or occurrence.

the contingent effects of the proposed law

Examples of contingent in a Sentence

Adjective The isolation and co-optation of the capitalist classes in Germany meant that liberty as an ideal had no contingent link with capitalism, as had happened in Western Europe. Orlando Patterson, New Republic, 8 Nov. 1999
He knows that the throngs cheering for him today will be cheering for someone else tomorrow, that enthusiasm is fickle, that real support for someone like him always has something completely contingent about it. Andrew Sullivan, New Republic, 8 July 1996
Clearly the President was chastened by the sorrow and resentment of the people to whom he spoke, but his words were somehow tentative and contingent, as if they could be withdrawn on a month's notice. Lewis H. Lapham, Harper's, July 1992
Every undogmatic historian is aware of the multitude of contingent events that entered into the victory of the Bolshevik revolution. Sidney Hook, Revolution, Reform & Social Justice, 1975
If the Sovereigns would grant him, contingent on his success, such rank, titles, and property that he and his issue could hold up their heads with the Spanish nobility, well and good … Samuel Eliot Morison, The European Discovery of America, 1974
the train's scheduled departure is contingent on the prompt fixing of the mechanical fault Noun Hollywood, Madison Avenue, the FCC, and a growing contingent in corporate America: It's hard to imagine a more formidable alliance pushing segregated television. Tamar Jacoby, New Republic, 24 Jan. 2000
A Maori contingent, unable to face the intensity of the Turkish fire, sought shelter in a nearby gully. Martin Gilbert, The First World War, 1994
But just because we banned it [DDT] domestically, under pressure from the bird-watching contingent … it doesn't necessarily follow that the rest of the world was about to jump on the bandwagon. T. Coraghessan Boyle, Harper's, April 1993
The group that makes up the largest contingent of voters in this area is the elderly. A contingent of reporters waited in front of the court for the defendant to appear. A British contingent was sent to assist the security forces.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
The deal is contingent on zoning approvals, according to the mayor. Brian Gioiele, Connecticut Post, 21 Oct. 2024 Under these rules, Republicans would likely hold an edge in this contingent election for president. Geoffrey Skelley, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2024
Noun
Obviously fans would prefer it to mirror the (excellent) games more than not, but there is a contingent that says this project probably shouldn’t be happening at all. Paul Tassi, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024 This contingent is loud and heavily concentrated in the swing state of Michigan. The Editors, National Review, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for contingent 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'contingent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Medieval Latin contingent-, contingens "dependent on circumstances, occurring by chance," going back to Latin, present participle of contingere "to be in contact with, arrive at, affect, fall to one's lot, come about, happen," from con- con- + tangere "to touch, border on, arrive at, reach" — more at tangent entry 2

Noun

(sense 1) borrowed from French, "portion that falls to one as a return, part given or received in a common effort, body of troops contributed by an ally," noun derivative of contingent, adjective, "falling to someone as a share, dependent, contingent entry 1"; (sense 2) noun derivative of contingent entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of contingent was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near contingent

Cite this Entry

“Contingent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contingent. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

contingent

1 of 2 adjective
con·​tin·​gent kən-ˈtin-jənt How to pronounce contingent (audio)
: depending on something else
plans contingent on the weather
contingently adverb

contingent

2 of 2 noun
: a number of persons representing or drawn from an area or group
Etymology

Adjective

Middle English contingent "uncertain," from early French contingent "touching, happening," derived from Latin contingere "to have contact with, affect, happen" — related to contact, contagious

Legal Definition

contingent

adjective
con·​tin·​gent kən-ˈtin-jənt How to pronounce contingent (audio)
1
: likely but not certain to happen compare executory
2
: intended for use in circumstances not completely foreseen
a contingent fund
3
: dependent on or conditioned by something else
a contingent claim
a legacy contingent on the marriage
compare vested

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