Continental

//ˌkɑntɪˈnɛntl̩// adj, noun

adj, noun ·Moderate ·College level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    Someone from the continent.

    "Reflecting on his long career chronicling scientists, J. G. Crowther wondered why it was that in the grand debates over the nature of light, x-rays, and cathode rays, the British opted for particles and the continentals for waves."

  2. 2
    Synonym of European (a denizen of Europe)
  3. 3
    A member of the Continental army. US, historical
  4. 4
    Synonym of European (a denizen of Europe); A denizen of continental Europe UK
  5. 5
    Paper scrip (paper money) issued by the continental congress, largely worthless by the end of the war. US, historical
Show 3 more definitions
  1. 6
    Synonym of European (a denizen of Europe); A denizen of continental Europe; A denizen of the European Union UK
  2. 7
    The smallest amount; a whit; a jot. broadly, obsolete

    "not worth a continental"

  3. 8
    A denizen of the colonies of British North America covered by the Continental Congress. UK, US, historical
Adjective
  1. 1
    Of or relating to a continent or continents.

    "continental drift"

  2. 2
    Synonym of European (including insular Europe, such as Britain, Ireland) not-comparable
  3. 3
    Of the mainland, as opposed to an island offshore.

    "continental Europe"

  4. 4
    Synonym of European (including insular Europe, such as Britain, Ireland); Alternative form of continental, continental European. UK, alt-of, alternative, not-comparable
  5. 5
    Relating to, or characteristic of, continental Europe.

    "continental breakfast"

Show 3 more definitions
  1. 6
    Synonym of European (including insular Europe, such as Britain, Ireland); Alternative form of continental, continental European.; Alternative form of continental (pertaining to the European Union). UK, alt-of, alternative, not-comparable
  2. 7
    Of or relating to the confederated colonies collectively, in the time of the Revolutionary War. US, historical

    "continental money"

  3. 8
    Pertaining to the colonies of British North America covered by the Continental Congress. UK, US, historical, not-comparable
Adjective
  1. 1
    being or concerning or limited to a continent especially the continents of North America or Europe wordnet
  2. 2
    of or relating to or characteristic of a continent wordnet
  3. 3
    of or pertaining to or typical of Europe wordnet
  4. 4
    of or relating to or concerning the American colonies during and immediately after the American Revolutionary War wordnet

Example

More examples

"And because Deal is very near continental Europe, it's always been one of the first areas of Britain to be invaded."

Etymology

Etymology 1

From continent + -al.

Etymology 2

From Continent + -al.

Related phrases

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.