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

The experience is even more special to the director coming from a small European country, given the festival’s push for continental collaboration. —Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 9 July 2025

But perhaps driven by continued lust for continental superiority, Mexican clubs have increasingly become exporters rather than developers of talent. —Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025

Noun

This was the first step in making the United States a continental and, ultimately, global power. —Nicolas Berggruen, Foreign Affairs, 11 June 2013

The Earth's crust is divided into dozens of plates, some oceanic, some continental, which move on a plastic mantle underneath. —Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 24 Apr. 2018

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