Words / B2

kont-i-NENTL/ˌkɒntɪˈnentl/

Continental means relating to a continent, especially mainland Europe from a British viewpoint; also a style of breakfast: a continental climate; continental Europe. Insular is a contrast from Britain; intercontinental is between continents. A continental climate featured in the geography paper. Mix-up: continental vs complimentary; continent (the noun); do not write continental for a hotel breakfast slogan unless the catering source uses that menu term.

Meaning

Relating to a continent, especially mainland Europe from a British viewpoint; also a style of breakfast.

Examples

• “A continental climate featured in the geography paper, not a hotel breakfast slogan unless the source is catering.”
• “Continental drift featured in the plate-tectonics topic, which is the earth-science sense — still name the evidence.”

Good to know

continental Europe / climate / crust; a continental breakfast (menu). Contrast: insular / maritime. Trap: complimentary. Geography and catering. Of a continent, or of mainland Europe — specify.

Near in meaning

mainland, European, intercontinental

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