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contingency

kuhn-TIN-juhn-see /kənˈtɪndʒənsi/

nounC1GREGMATCAT

businesslegalacademic

A future event or circumstance that is possible but cannot be predicted with certainty; a backup plan.

A contingency is a specific potential event we prepare for, often carrying a negative connotation (e.g., a crisis or failure).

The story behind the word. From the Latin 'contingere', meaning 'to touch' or 'to happen.' It implies things that are so closely connected that one 'touches' or depends on the other. In English, it evolved to mean an event that might happen depending on other circumstances.

Word relationships

backup plan: A backup plan is the alternative course of action, while a contingency is the potential event that triggers that alternative.
proviso: A proviso is a condition or qualification attached to an agreement, rather than an unexpected future event.

certainty: A certainty is a guaranteed event, whereas a contingency is entirely dependent on chance.

Commonly confused with

emergency: An emergency is an active crisis requiring immediate action, while a contingency is a potential future event we plan for in advance.

Word family

contingent (adjective): Subject to chance; dependent on other factors.
contingently (adverb): In a dependent or conditional manner.

Collocations

contingency plan
contingency fund
prepare for contingencies
contingency fee

Example sentences

"We established a contingency fund to cover any unexpected construction delays." Project Management
"A good leader always formulates a contingency plan in case the primary strategy fails." Business Strategy

Memory hook

A contingency is a plan for when things go wrong and you are 'continually tense.' A plan for when things go wrong.

When not to use

Do not use to describe a guaranteed future 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.