contingent
kun-TIN-jent
/kənˈtɪndʒənt/
Subject to chance; occurring or existing only if certain other circumstances are the case; dependent on.
Describes a relationship where one thing cannot happen without another.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'contingere,' meaning 'to touch' or 'to happen.' The idea is that events are 'touching' each other—one event's occurrence is linked to another's.
Word relationships
- conditional: Conditional is more common in everyday speech; contingent is more formal and academic.
- absolute: Not dependent on anything else.
Commonly confused with
- incidental: Incidental means happening as a minor accompaniment; contingent means strictly dependent.
Word family
- contingency (noun): a future event or circumstance which is possible but cannot be predicted with certainty
Collocations
- contingent upon
- contingent plan
- contingent liability
Example sentences
- "The sale of the house is contingent upon the buyer securing a mortgage." Business contract.
- "Many historians argue that the outcome of the war was contingent on a few key decisions." Philosophy.
Memory hook
Think of 'Continue'—the plan can only 'continue' if the 'contingent' condition is met. Touching events.
When not to use
Don't use to mean 'likely' or 'probable'—it specifically means 'dependent.'
Fun facts
- In logic, a 'contingent proposition' is one that is neither necessarily true nor necessarily false.
Related words
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