contingency
kun-TIN-jun-see
/kənˈtɪndʒənsi/
A future event or circumstance that is possible but cannot be predicted with certainty.
Usually refers to a backup plan or fund designed to handle a negative event if it occurs.
The story behind the word. From Latin contingere 'to touch, happen, befall,' from com- (together) + tangere (to touch). A contingency is literally something that 'touches' or depends on another event happening first.
Word relationships
- eventuality: Eventuality is any possible outcome, whereas contingency usually implies a specific event we must prepare for.
- certainty: A certainty is an event that is guaranteed to happen.
Commonly confused with
- emergency: An emergency is the crisis itself; a contingency is the planned-for possibility of that crisis.
Word family
- contingent (adjective): Subject to chance; dependent on something else.
Collocations
- contingency plan
- contingency fund
- prepare for contingencies
Idioms & expressions
- plan B
- just in case
Example sentences
- "The project manager created a contingency plan in case the primary supplier went bankrupt." Project management
Memory hook
Think of a 'contingency' as a plan that 'continues' your progress if a 'tangent' event occurs. A plan that touches on what might happen.
When not to use
Do not use for a guaranteed event or a purely positive, planned milestone.
Fun facts
- In legal terms, a 'contingency fee' means the lawyer only gets paid if they win the case—the payment is contingent on success.
Explore more words
contingent, unforeseen, fate, prospect, precaution, anticipate
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