Words / B2

KONT-in-uh-nt/ˈkɒntɪnənt/

A continent is one of the large land masses of the earth, such as Asia, Africa, or Europe. Mainland is the opposite of islands, not a synonym; landmass is a close technical cousin. Continental is the adjective (continental climate; in Britain, the Continent can mean mainland Europe). In speech, the huge land mass is the idea. Do not use continent for a country, and do not confuse it with content (what is inside a book) or incontinent (a medical word).

Meaning

One of the large land masses of the earth, such as Asia or Africa.

Examples

• “Europe is a continent.”
• “Europe is a continent; France is a country on it.”
• “From Britain, “the Continent” often means mainland Europe, not Australia.”

Good to know

A huge land mass (Asia, Africa, Europe…). Adjective: continental. British: the Continent ≈ mainland Europe. Contrast: country; content; incontinent.

Near in meaning

landmass

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