contingent

Pronunciation: kun-TIN-junt

adjective

Difficulty: intermediate

Definition of contingent

contingent (adjective): Dependent on specific circumstances or conditions; possible but not guaranteed, often implying uncertainty or reliance on external factors.

Example: The success of the new policy is contingent upon public support and cooperation.

Best for: intermediate-difficulty vocabulary; learners who already know "conditional" or "dependent"; GRE Verbal (Text Completion, Sentence Equivalence); SAT Reading & Writing (Words in Context).

Origin of contingent

Language of origin: Latin

Root word: contingens

Original meaning: touching, happening upon

How it evolved: Originally used to describe things that come into contact or occur incidentally, it later evolved to describe conditional or dependent situations in English.

The word 'contingent' originates from the Latin 'contingens,' meaning 'touching' or 'happening upon,' which evolved to signify events or conditions dependent on one another.

First known use: 15th century

How to Remember contingent

Think of 'contingent' like 'content in a tent': the situation is uncertain and depends on the weather or other external conditions.

Synonyms for contingent

Antonyms of contingent

  • definite
  • certain
  • independent
  • absolute
  • unconditional

contingent in a Sentence

  1. The success of the new policy is contingent upon public support and cooperation.
  2. Her ability to attend the conference was contingent on receiving approval from her supervisor.
  3. The company’s expansion plans are contingent on securing sufficient funding and resources.

contingent in Literature & Culture

The term 'contingent' is often used in political speeches and academic papers to describe conditional agreements or outcomes, emphasizing the importance of specific factors or cooperation.

Usage Notes

‘Contingent’ is often used in formal contexts to describe dependencies in plans, policies, or events. Avoid confusing it with ‘continuous’ or ‘consistent,’ which have entirely different meanings.

Why contingent Matters for GRE & SAT

This word is frequently tested on the GRE because it reflects nuanced relationships between conditions and outcomes, a concept often explored in reading comprehension and analytical writing sections.

Word Family

contingency (noun)
A future event or circumstance that is possible but cannot be predicted with certainty.
contingently (adverb)
In a manner dependent on certain conditions.

Did You Know?

  • The concept of contingency plays a key role in philosophy, particularly in discussions of free will and determinism.
  • In military contexts, 'contingent' can refer to a group of troops or personnel assigned to a specific mission or duty.
  • The word has been used in legal contracts to describe obligations dependent on specific events.

More Vocabulary Words Starting with C

  • cacophonous — extremely noisy; grating
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  • cajole — persuade through flattery or gentle urging
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  • callow — young and inexperienced; immature
  • calumny — slander and defamation
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