contingent
kun-TIN-junt
/kənˈtɪndʒənt/
Dependent on circumstances or other events; not necessary or guaranteed to exist.
In metaphysics, contingent facts are things that could have been otherwise, unlike necessary truths.
The story behind the word. Derived from Latin 'contingere' (to touch, happen, or befall). It combined 'con-' (together) and 'tangere' (to touch). Things that touch each other connect and depend on one another.
Word relationships
- conditional: 'Conditional' usually applies to rules or agreements, whereas 'contingent' applies to events, existence, or logical truths.
- necessary: A 'necessary' truth must be true in all possible worlds, whereas a 'contingent' truth depends on circumstance.
Commonly confused with
- contiguous: 'Contiguous' means sharing a common border or touching, while 'contingent' means dependent upon.
Word family
- contingency (noun): A future event or circumstance that is possible but cannot be predicted with certainty.
Collocations
- contingent upon
- contingent existence
- contingent fact
- contingent plan
Example sentences
- "Philosophers debate whether the laws of physics are necessary truths or merely contingent facts of our universe." Metaphysical modal logic
- "Our funding proposal remains contingent upon securing approval from the board of directors." Business strategy
Memory hook
CONTINGENT: Things that TOUCH (tangent/tangere) each other depend on each other. Depending on something else to happen.
When not to use
Do not confuse with 'accidental' in informal speech; 'contingent' carries a strong sense of conditional dependence.
Fun facts
- In legal contract law, a 'contingent fee' means a lawyer gets paid only if they win the case.
Related words
Explore more words
contingency, provisional, aleatory, stochastic, fortuitous, occasional
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