How to pronounce contingent
Say it like kun-TIN-junt. Contingent has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TIN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce contingent. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kun
- TIN
- junt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Contingent pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- TINSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- juntKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of contingent
American and British speakers say contingent in essentially the same way: /kənˈtɪndʒənt/ in the US and /kənˈtɪndʒənt/ in the UK.
British respelling: kun-TIN-junt.
What does contingent mean?
- a gathering of persons representative of some larger group“each nation sent a contingent of athletes to the Olympics”
- a temporary military unit“the peacekeeping force includes one British contingent”
- possible but not certain to occur“they had to plan for contingent expenses”
- being determined by conditions or circumstances that follow“arms sales contingent on the approval of congress”
- uncertain because of uncontrollable circumstances“the results of confession were not contingent, they were certain”
Where does contingent come from?
From Middle English, from Old French contingent (whence con- and -ent), from Medieval Latin contingens (“possible, contingent”), present participle of contingere (“to touch, meet, attain to, happen”), from com- (“together”) + tangere (“to touch”).
Words that rhyme with contingent
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of contingent.
Questions about saying contingent
How do you pronounce contingent?
Say kun-TIN-junt. The American pronunciation is /kənˈtɪndʒənt/. In British English it is /kənˈtɪndʒənt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in contingent?
Contingent has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TIN). Broken into parts: kun · TIN · junt.
Do Americans and Brits say contingent the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /kənˈtɪndʒənt/ and the British form is /kənˈtɪndʒənt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.