contractual
/kənˈtræk.tʃu.əl/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Contractual means connected with a contract. It describes duties, rights, or payments that are agreed in a written or spoken contract.
- They have a contractual duty to finish the work.
- The company made a contractual payment on Friday.
- You should read the contractual terms carefully.
Adinary Nuance
Contractual is more specific than related words like legal or agreed. Use it when the point comes from a contract, not just from general law or a mutual understanding. In business writing, it sounds formal and precise.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- thuộc hợp đồng
- Spanish
- contractual
- Chinese
- 合同的
- Japanese
- 契約上の
- Korean
- 계약상의
Etymology
Contractual comes from contract, with the adjective ending -ual. It entered English through Late Latin and French legal language.
Common phrases
contractual obligationcontractual termscontractual agreementcontractual rights
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is contractual a formal word?
- Yes. It is common in legal, business, and academic writing.
- What is the difference between contractual and legal?
- Contractual means from a contract. Legal means allowed by law or related to law more generally.
- Can I use contractual in everyday English?
- Yes, but it sounds formal and is most common in work or legal contexts.