contractual

adjective

con·​trac·​tu·​al kən-ˈtrak-chə-wəl 

-chəl, 

-shwəl, 

-chü-əl

: of, relating to, or constituting a contract

contractually adverb

Examples of contractual in a Sentence

They had to fulfill their contractual obligations before they could get paid.

Recent Examples on the Web

The total amount reflects earned leave accumulated during Smith's tenure and does not include any additional severance beyond contractual obligations. —Jack Lowenstein, CBS News, 21 Feb. 2026

Having taken care of their 40-year-old long snapper, the Panthers will move on to other contractual matters and possible roster moves ahead of the March 11 start of free agency, which really begins two days earlier with the opening of the legal tampering window. —Joseph Person, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026

Goliath and the pavilion’s curator, Ingrid Masondo, called for the pavilion to be restored, arguing that McKenzie did not possess the contractual authority to end the exhibition and that the cancellation infringed on the artist’s constitutional right to freedom of speech. —News Desk, Artforum, 19 Feb. 2026

Scammers typically use high-pressure scare tactics, seeking payment up front, only to offer vague coverage promises and contractual fine print that often excludes most real repairs. —Sharon Brandwein, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin contractuālis, from Latin contractu-, stem of contractus contract entry 1 + -ālis -al entry 1

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for contractual

• artifactual
• counterfactual
• factual
• tactual

Kids Definition

contractual

adjective

con·​trac·​tu·​al kən-ˈtrak-chə(-wə)l 

kän-, 

-ˈtraksh-wəl

: of, relating to, or being a contract

contractual agreements

contractually

-ē

adverb

Legal Definition

contractual

adjective

con·​trac·​tu·​al kən-ˈtrak-chə-wəl 

: of, relating to, or constituting a contract

a contractual agreement

contractually adverb