contiguous

[ kuhn-tig-yoo-uhs ]

adjective

1. touching; in contact.

   Synonyms: adjoining

2. in close proximity without actually touching; near.

   Synonyms: adjacent

3. adjacent in time:

   contiguous events.

contiguous

/ kənˈtɪɡjʊəs; ˌkɒntɪˈɡjuːɪtɪ /

adjective

1. touching along the side or boundary; in contact
2. physically adjacent; neighbouring
3. preceding or following in time

Derived Forms

• contiguity, noun
• conˈtiguously, adverb

Other Words From

• con·tigu·ous·ly adverb
• con·tigu·ous·ness noun
• noncon·tigu·ous adjective
• noncon·tigu·ous·ly adverb
• noncon·tigu·ous·ness noun
• uncon·tigu·ous adjective
• uncon·tigu·ous·ly adverb
• uncon·tigu·ous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of contiguous¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin contiguus “touching, bordering upon,“ equivalent to prefix con- “with, together” + tig- (variant stem of -tingere, combining form of tangere “to touch”) + -uus adjective suffix; con-, tangent, contingent, contact; -ous, continuous

Word History and Origins

Origin of contiguous¹

C17: from Latin contiguus, from contingere to touch; see contact

Related Words

• adjoining
• neighboring