Contributory Meaning
/ˈkɒntɹɪˌbjuːt(ə)ɹi/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjOf, pertaining to, or involving a contribution.
adjTending to contribute to a result.
Sentence Examples
I would prefer to take a contributory role.
The job did not offer a contributory pension.
CEFR Practice Quiz
Smoking is a ____ factor in the development of lung disease.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
I would prefer to take a ____ role.
Word Origin & History
From earlier contributary, from Middle English contributarie, from con- + tributarie after Middle French contributaire.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"My Lord the great Commander of the worlde,
Besides fifteene contributory kings,
Hath now in armes ten thouſand Ianiſaries,
Mounted on luſty Mauritanian Steeds, […]"
— c. 1587–1588 (date written), [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], 2nd edition, part 1, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592, →OCLC; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire; London: Scolar Press, 1973, →ISBN, Act III, scene iii:
"The response to firing is remarkable, and though the 280 lb. pressure seems more in the nature of a reserve for emergencies than a continuous working figure, even with the present-day apology for coal it seldom fell below 250 lb., and could always be brought up to blowing-off point with little difficulty. To this liveliness of steaming the thermic syphons are doubtless the chief contributory."
— 1947 January and February, Cecil J. Allen, “British Locomotive Practice and Performance”, in Railway Magazine, page 39:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Smoking is a ____ factor in the development of lung disease.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
I would prefer to take a ____ role.