continental
1 of 2adjective
con·ti·nen·tal ˌkän-tə-ˈnen-tᵊl 
1
a
: of, relating to, or characteristic of a continent
continental waters
specifically, often capitalized : of or relating to the continent of Europe excluding the British Isles
b
often capitalized : of, relating to, or being a cuisine derived from the classic dishes of Europe and especially France
2
a
often capitalized : of or relating to the colonies later forming the U.S.
Continental Congress
b
: being the part of the U.S. on the North American continent
also : being the part of the U.S. comprising the lower 48 states
continentally
ˌkän-tə-ˈnen-tə-lē
adverb continental
2 of 2noun
1
a
often capitalized : an American soldier of the Revolution in the Continental army
b(1)
: a piece of Continental paper currency
(2)
: the least bit
not worth a continental
2
: an inhabitant of a continent and especially the continent of Europe
Synonyms
Noun
- beans
- bubkes
- bupkes
- bupkus
- damn
- darn
- durn
- diddly [slang]
- diddly-squat [slang]
- doodley-squat
- doodly-squat
- fig
- ghost
- hoot
- iota
- jot
- lick
- modicum
- rap
- squat [slang]
- syllable
- tittle
- whit
- whoop
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Adjective They will be touring Continental Europe. differences between Britain and its Continental neighbors The hotel combines American comfort with continental elegance. Noun complained that today's youth doesn't care a continental about their elders
Recent Examples on the Web
Khobi Price, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Sep. 2022 The pan-continental Stoxx Europe 600 index dropped 0.6%, while Germany’s DAX lost 2.2%. Chelsey Dulaney, WSJ, 5 Sep. 2022 The two impacts also coincide with the formation of much of the granite in the Pilbara Craton, and granite is a low-density rock typical of continental crust. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 11 Aug. 2022 Fans of continental period drama, take note: Ewan McGregor has signed on to star in a new series about the Russian Revolution, titled A Gentleman in Moscow. Emma Dibdin, Town & Country, 25 Aug. 2022 Overseas, the pan-continental Stoxx Europe 600 index fell 0.4% after data showed eurozone business activity contracted in August for the second consecutive month, though businesses reported easing cost pressures. Karen Langley, WSJ, 23 Aug. 2022 Right on beach with beautiful sunset views, this breezy eatery offers tropical cocktails, island fare and more familiar continental cuisine. Nevin Martell, Washington Post, 18 Aug. 2022 Arctica lives on the continental shelves on both sides of the north Atlantic Ocean. Steven N. Austad, The Atlantic, 12 Aug. 2022 The surprise late switch was signed off by a FIFA committee comprising its president Gianni Infantino and presidents of the six continental soccer bodies. Graham Dunbar, ajc, 11 Aug. 2022 Amy Thomson, Bloomberg.com, 24 Apr. 2020 Kenyatta rejected concerns that a free trade deal with the United States would undermine a new continental free trade agreement in Africa aimed at creating the world’s largest common market. Tom Odula, BostonGlobe.com, 6 Feb. 2020 Today, greater migration rates among college graduates often necessitates cross-country, if not cross-continental, travel. Wired, 22 Aug. 2019 Many of these airlines also have different policies for intra-continental, short-haul flights, which are not included here. Meredith Carey, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 July 2018 Organizers of the Asian Games—a pan-continental, multi-sport event held every four years among athletes from all over Asia—have confirmed eSports will be a demonstration event later this year. Chris Morris, Fortune, 28 June 2018 Goals, fame and second-tier continental, as well as league success, came to the Brazilian, who became only the second man to break the world transfer record twice, all before his 21st birthday. SI.com, 27 May 2018 But the most fun part is spinning the globe itself and watching the unfamiliar continental and oceanic formations of times past. Erin Blakemore, Washington Post, 24 Mar. 2018 The Confederations Cup is a trophy competed for by the seven current reigning continental or world champions and a host nation, in every odd year following a round of continental tournaments. SI.com, 2 May 2018 See More
Adjective
Also on the line is a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League — an annual continental club tournament in which the Lions have yet to qualify. Khobi Price, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Sep. 2022 The pan-continental Stoxx Europe 600 index dropped 0.6%, while Germany’s DAX lost 2.2%. Chelsey Dulaney, WSJ, 5 Sep. 2022 The two impacts also coincide with the formation of much of the granite in the Pilbara Craton, and granite is a low-density rock typical of continental crust. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 11 Aug. 2022 Fans of continental period drama, take note: Ewan McGregor has signed on to star in a new series about the Russian Revolution, titled A Gentleman in Moscow. Emma Dibdin, Town & Country, 25 Aug. 2022 Overseas, the pan-continental Stoxx Europe 600 index fell 0.4% after data showed eurozone business activity contracted in August for the second consecutive month, though businesses reported easing cost pressures. Karen Langley, WSJ, 23 Aug. 2022 Right on beach with beautiful sunset views, this breezy eatery offers tropical cocktails, island fare and more familiar continental cuisine. Nevin Martell, Washington Post, 18 Aug. 2022 Arctica lives on the continental shelves on both sides of the north Atlantic Ocean. Steven N. Austad, The Atlantic, 12 Aug. 2022 The surprise late switch was signed off by a FIFA committee comprising its president Gianni Infantino and presidents of the six continental soccer bodies. Graham Dunbar, ajc, 11 Aug. 2022 Noun
Hosted by enthusiastic young continentals, songs are scored by a combination of dial-in votes from viewers and jurists representing the participating countries. Amy Thomson, Bloomberg.com, 24 Apr. 2020 Kenyatta rejected concerns that a free trade deal with the United States would undermine a new continental free trade agreement in Africa aimed at creating the world’s largest common market. Tom Odula, BostonGlobe.com, 6 Feb. 2020 Today, greater migration rates among college graduates often necessitates cross-country, if not cross-continental, travel. Wired, 22 Aug. 2019 Many of these airlines also have different policies for intra-continental, short-haul flights, which are not included here. Meredith Carey, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 July 2018 Organizers of the Asian Games—a pan-continental, multi-sport event held every four years among athletes from all over Asia—have confirmed eSports will be a demonstration event later this year. Chris Morris, Fortune, 28 June 2018 Goals, fame and second-tier continental, as well as league success, came to the Brazilian, who became only the second man to break the world transfer record twice, all before his 21st birthday. SI.com, 27 May 2018 But the most fun part is spinning the globe itself and watching the unfamiliar continental and oceanic formations of times past. Erin Blakemore, Washington Post, 24 Mar. 2018 The Confederations Cup is a trophy competed for by the seven current reigning continental or world champions and a host nation, in every odd year following a round of continental tournaments. SI.com, 2 May 2018 See More Word History
Etymology
Adjective
continent entry 1 + -al entry 1
Noun
derivative of continental entry 1
First Known Use
Adjective
1755, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Noun
1777, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing continental
Kids Definition
continental
adjective
con·ti·nen·tal ˌkän-tə-ˈnen-tᵊl
1
: being the mainland part and not including islands
the continental United States
2
often capitalized : of the colonies later forming the United States
the Continental Army
continentals
noun
as in whits
the smallest amount or part imaginable complained that today's youth doesn't care a continental about their elders Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- whits
- little
- damns
- syllables
- licks
- hoots
- bits
- figs
- beans
- ghosts
- iotas
- whoops
- raps
- darns
- durns
- tittles
- particles
- specks
- scruples
- modicums
- shades
- diddlies
- squats
- diddly-squats
- jots
- peanuts
- ounces
- driblets
- doodly-squats
- nips
- pins
- mites
- crumbs
- touches
- hints
- shadows
- doodley-squats
- semblances
- spots
- aces
- sprinklings
- strains
- suspicions
- smidgens
- scraps
- shreds
- skoshes
- glimmers
- traces
- rays
- smidgeons
- streaks
- dabs
- smidges
- snaps
- smidgins
