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 capitalized : of or relating to the continent of Europe excluding the British Isles

b

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

2

a

often capitalized : 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 capitalized : 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

Noun

• damn
• whit
• lick
• little
• hoot
• syllable

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

This Angolan core has been growing together for nearly a decade, first shining on the continental stage at the 2016 FIBA U16 AfroBasket in Rwanda. —Sindiswa Mabunda, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025

Most of the cemeteries are in continental Europe, with several in France, two in Belgium, one in the Netherlands. —Hank Beckman, Chicago Tribune, 26 Aug. 2025

Noun

Hosted by enthusiastic young continentals, songs are scored by a combination of dial-in votes from viewers and jurists representing the participating countries. —Amy Thomson, Bloomberg.com, 24 Apr. 2020

Kenyatta rejected concerns that a free trade deal with the United States would undermine a new continental free trade agreement in Africa aimed at creating the world’s largest common market. —Tom Odula, BostonGlobe.com, 6 Feb. 2020

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