# contingent

> English word · Noun · IPA /kənˈtɪn.d͡ʒənt/ · frequency rank #11,360

## Definitions
1. An event which may or may not happen; that which is unforeseen, undetermined, or dependent on something in the future.
2. That which falls to one in a division or apportionment among a number; a suitable share.
3. A quota of troops.

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

## Easily confused with
- **continent** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/continent-vs-contingent)
- **containment** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/containment-vs-contingent)
- **contingency** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/contingency-vs-contingent)

## Common misspellings (16)
`ccontingent`, `cnotingent`, `conitngent`, `conntingent`, `contignent`, `continegnt`, `contingennt`, `contingentt`, `contingetn`, `continggent`, `contingnet`, `continngent`, `contnigent`, `conttingent`, `cotningent`, `ocntingent`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/contingent