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

There has so far been a reluctance to budge, citing that football has a contractual priority during its season. —Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 21 May 2026

The Twins have granted veteran relievers John Brebbia and Matt Bowman their release after both players triggered their contractual opt-outs. —Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 20 May 2026

Also, as the Flores case shows, when a coach contends they’ve been discriminated against in the employment context, contractual language tries to prevent them from suing in a court of law. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 19 May 2026

The Beatles only made three more films, largely to satisfy contractual obligations. —Damon Wise, Deadline, 16 May 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

• factual
• tactual
• artifactual
• counterfactual

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