contingency
/kənˈtɪnd͡ʒənsi/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 3.44 in modern English
19
Scrabble Score
11
Letters
4
Syllables
8
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A possibility; something which may or may not happen. A chance occurrence, especially in finance, unexpected expenses.
Countable
noun
An amount of money which a party to a contract has to pay to the other party (usually the supplier of a major project to the client) if they do not fulfill the contract according to the specification.
Countable
Example Sentences
- "There was also the imperative necessity of creating a reserve fund for unforeseen contingencies, and the question ever present was how was money to be found."
- "In light of the inherent survival threat posed by zombies and absent specified guidance for detailed planning to address such a contingency, USSTRATCOM has taken the initiative to develop a JOPES Level 3 plan (CONPLAN) consistent with guidance derived from other specified planning efforts to ensure U.S. and Allied freedom of action from zombie domination."
Etymology
From contingence + -y (16th century).