Is 'contingent' formal or informal?

What's the difference between 'contingent' and 'dependent'?

How is 'contingent' different from 'dependent'?

Can 'contingent' describe a group of people?

Is 'contingent' common in academic writing?

← Dictionary

contingent

/kənˈtɪndʒənt/

IELTSAcademic

adjective

Possible but not certain; dependent on a condition, or a group of people temporarily assembled.

The visit is contingent on funding approval.
The team is a temporary contingent.
Success is contingent on careful planning.

Adinary Nuance

Near-neighbors: 'contingent' is more formal and conditional than 'possible' or 'probable'; it often points to dependency or a temporary assembly, whereas 'dependable' focuses on reliability and 'variable' on changeability.

In other languages

Spanish: Condicional, dependiente
Japanese: 条件付きの一時的な
Korean: 조건에 따라 달라지는 임시적인
Vietnamese: Chuẩn bị, có điều kiện
Chinese: 视情况而定的

Etymology

Late Latin contingent-, contingens 'touching, relevant', from the verb contingere.

Common phrases

contingent oncontingent uponcontingent workforcecontingent plan

Synonyms

conditional dependent probable suspensive temporary

Frequently asked questions

Is 'contingent' formal or informal?: Is 'contingent' formal or informal?
What's the difference between 'contingent' and 'dependent'?: How is 'contingent' different from 'dependent'?
Can 'contingent' describe a group of people?: Can 'contingent' describe a group of people?
Is 'contingent' common in academic writing?: Is 'contingent' common in academic writing?