Continental: meaning, definitions and examples

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continental

 

[ หŒkษ’n.tษชหˆnen.tษ™l ]

Adjective / Noun
Context #1 | Adjective

geography

relating to or characteristic of a continent, in particular, the mainland of Europe, as distinct from the British Isles.

Synonyms

landlocked, mainland.

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Word Description / Examples
continental

This refers to something pertaining to the main part of a continent, particularly used in historical or geographical contexts to describe the primary landmass.

  • The continental policies of the 19th century were primarily focused on expansion and trade.
  • Continental Europe has a rich history spanning millennia.
mainland

Used to describe the primary landmass of a region or country as opposed to its islands. Commonly used in contrast when distinguishing between smaller islands and the larger land area.

  • She moved from the Hawaiian islands to the mainland for better job opportunities.
  • The mainland of Greece is known for its ancient history, while its islands are famous for beautiful beaches.
landlocked

Refers to a place, usually a country, that is entirely surrounded by land and does not have direct access to the ocean. Often used in geographical or economic discussions.

  • Being landlocked, the country relies heavily on its neighboring ports for trade.
  • Switzerland is a landlocked nation known for its mountains and neutrality.

Examples of usage

  • continental Europe
  • continental climate
Context #2 | Adjective

cuisine

of or characteristic of the European mainland or a particular European country.

Synonyms

European, traditional.

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Word Description / Examples
continental

Use this word when referring to something that belongs to or relates to a continent, specifically Europe. It can also be used in a broader sense to describe a style or characteristic typically European.

  • We stayed at a continental hotel during our trip to Paris
  • The restaurant serves a delightful continental breakfast
European

Best used when explicitly referring to people, culture, or things related to the continent of Europe. This term is specific to the region and its diverse countries.

  • European fashion trends often influence the global market
  • They traveled across several European countries last summer
traditional

This word is ideal when describing customs, practices, or objects that are long-established and handed down from generation to generation. It often implies a sense of history and cultural significance.

  • They celebrated the wedding with traditional ceremonies
  • Traditional music filled the air during the festival

Examples of usage

  • continental breakfast
  • continental cuisine
Context #3 | Noun

automotive

a tire for motor vehicles having a continuous circular tread.

Synonyms

rubber, tire.

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Word Description / Examples
continental

Also used to describe a type of breakfast that includes lighter items like pastries, fruit, and coffee, typically offered in European hotels.

  • The hotel provided a continental breakfast with croissants, yogurt, and fresh fruit.
  • He prefers a hearty meal, so the continental breakfast wasn't enough for him.
tire

Commonly used to describe a ring-shaped component, usually made of rubber, that surrounds a wheel to provide traction and support. Typically used in automotive or transportation contexts.

  • Make sure to check the tire pressure before going on a long drive.
  • He had to replace his flat tire on the side of the road.
rubber

Referred to as a material, typically used in manufacturing, that comes from the latex of rubber trees or made synthetically. Often used in industrial or daily life contexts to describe items made of this material.

  • The tires are made of a high-quality rubber to ensure longevity.
  • She wore rubber gloves while cleaning to protect her hands.

Examples of usage

  • The car was equipped with Continental tires.

Translations

Translations of the word "continental" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น continental

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฎเคนเคพเคฆเฅเคตเฅ€เคชเฅ€เคฏ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช kontinental

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ benua

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะบะพะฝั‚ะธะฝะตะฝั‚ะฐะปัŒะฝะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ kontynentalny

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅคง้™ธใฎ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท continental

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ continental

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท kฤฑtasal

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋Œ€๋ฅ™์˜

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู‚ุงุฑูŠ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ kontinentรกlnรญ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ kontinentรกlny

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅคง้™†็š„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ celinski

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ meginlands-

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ า›าฑั€ะปั‹า›ั‚ั‹า›

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ™แƒแƒœแƒขแƒ˜แƒœแƒ”แƒœแƒขแƒฃแƒ แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ qitษ™vi

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ continental

Etymology

The word 'continental' originated from the Latin word 'continentalis', which means 'belonging to a continent'. It was first recorded in English in the mid-16th century. The term has been widely used to refer to things related to continents, especially in the context of geography and cuisine.

See also: continent.

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,424 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.