continental

1 of 2

adjective

con·​ti·​nen·​tal ˌkän-tə-ˈnen-tᵊl 

1

a

: of, relating to, or characteristic of a continent

continental waters

specifically, often Continental : of or relating to the continent of Europe excluding the British Isles

b

often Continental : of, relating to, or being a cuisine derived from the classic dishes of Europe and especially France

2

a

often Continental : of or relating to the colonies later forming the U.S.

Continental Congress

b

: being the part of the U.S. on the North American continent

also : being the part of the U.S. comprising the lower 48 states

continentally

ˌkän-tə-ˈnen-tə-lē 

adverb

continental

2 of 2

noun

1

a

often Continental : an American soldier of the Revolution in the Continental army

b(1)

: a piece of Continental paper currency

(2)

: the least bit

not worth a continental

2

: an inhabitant of a continent and especially the continent of Europe

Synonyms of continental

Noun

• damn
• whit
• lick
• hoot

Examples of continental in a Sentence

Adjective

They will be touring Continental Europe.

differences between Britain and its Continental neighbors

The hotel combines American comfort with continental elegance.

Noun

complained that today's youth doesn't care a continental about their elders

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Only four are outside the continental United States, and those include Honolulu and Ponce, Puerto Rico. —Susan Tallman, The Atlantic, 13 June 2026

The United States is not one giant storage tank, but a sophisticated continental energy system wired into global markets. —Dan Eberhart, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026

Noun

And unlike the 12-cylinder predecessors that have been put to pasture, these hybrid V-8 Continentals avoid any gas-guzzler tax. —Lawrence Ulrich, Robb Report, 12 June 2026

The menu is classic continental: goat cheese souffle, lobster, duck breast, steak frites, some with tableside finishes. —Winston Ross, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

continent entry 1 + -al entry 1

Noun

derivative of continental entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1755, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1777, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing continental

• continental breakfast
• continental drift
• continental shelf
• continental slope
• continental U.S.

Rhymes for continental

• accidental
• compartmental
• detrimental
• elemental
• fundamental
• governmental
• incidental
• incremental
• instrumental
• interdental
• monumental
• nonjudgmental

Kids Definition

continental

1 of 2 adjective

con·​ti·​nen·​tal ˌkänt-ᵊn-ˈent-ᵊl 

1

: of or relating to a continent

continental waters

especially, often capitalized : of or relating to the continent of Europe

2

often capitalized : of or relating to the colonies later forming the U.S.

Continental Congress

continental

2 of 2 noun

1

a

often capitalized : a soldier in the Continental army

b

: a piece of paper money issued by the Continental Congress

2

: european entry 2