Contingent dictionary definition

contingent

[kən tin′jənt]

Use contingent in a sentence

adjective

The definition of contingent is something that depends on something else happening, or something that is possible or by chance.
An example of contingent is the sale of one home going through after the buyer's house is sold; a contingent sale.

noun

A contingent is defined as a condition that needs to be met in order for something else to happen.
An example of a contingent is a clear termite inspection needed in order for a home sale to close escrow.

contingent

adjective

Obsolete touching; tangential
that may or may not happen; possible
happening by chance; accidental; fortuitous
unpredictable because dependent on chance
dependent (on or upon something uncertain); conditional
Logic true only under certain conditions or in certain contexts; not always or necessarily true
Philos. not subject to determinism; free

Origin of contingent

Classical Latin contingens, present participle of contingere, to touch: see contact

noun

Now Rare an accidental or chance happening
a share or quota, as of troops, laborers, delegates, etc.
a group forming part of a larger group

Related Forms:

contingently
adverb

contingent

adjective

Liable but not certain to occur; possible: “All salaries are reckoned on contingent as well as on actual services” (Ralph Waldo Emerson).
Dependent on other conditions or circumstances; conditional: arms sales contingent on the approval of Congress. See Synonyms at dependent.
Happening by or subject to chance or accident; unpredictable: contingent developments that jeopardized the negotiations. See Synonyms at accidental.
Logic True only under certain conditions; not necessarily or universally true: a contingent proposition.

noun

a. A group or detachment, as of troops or police, assigned to aid a larger force.
b. A representative group that is selected from or part of a larger group.
An event or condition that is likely but not inevitable.

Origin of contingent

Middle English, from Latin contingēns, contingent-, present participle of contingere, to touch; see contact.

Related Forms:

con·tin′gent·ly
adverb

contingent

Noun

(plural contingents)

An event which may or may not happen; that which is unforeseen, undetermined, or dependent on something future; a contingency.
That which falls to one in a division or apportionment among a number; a suitable share; proportion;
(military) a quota of troops.

Adjective

(comparative more contingent, superlative most contingent)

Possible or liable, but not certain to occur; incidental; casual.
(with upon) Dependent on something that is undetermined or unknown.
The success of his undertaking is contingent upon events which he can not control.
Dependent on something that may or may not occur.
a contingent estate
Not logically necessarily true or false.

Antonyms

(possible but not certain to occur): certain, inevitable, necessary, impossible

Anagrams

contenting

Origin

From Old French contingent, from Medieval Latin contingens (“possible, contingent”), properly present participle of Latin contingere (“to touch, meet, attain to, happen”), from com- (“together”) + tangere (“to touch”).