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Continental vs National - What's the difference?

continental | national |

As adjectives the difference between continental and national

is that continental is of or relating to a continent or continents while national is of or having to do with a nation.

As nouns the difference between continental and national

is that continental is someone from "the continent" while national is a subject of a nation.

continental

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Of or relating to a continent or continents.
  • :
  • *(Henry Hallam) (1777-1859)
  • *:No former king had involved himself so frequently in the labyrinth of continental alliances.
  • In the main part of a country or region, as opposed to on one of its islands.
  • :
  • Characteristic of the style of continental Europe, as opposed to British.
  • :
  • *
  • *:“My Continental prominence is improving,” I commented dryly. ¶ Von Lindowe cut at a furze bush with his silver-mounted rattan. ¶ “Quite so,” he said as dryly, his hand at his mustache. “I may say if your intentions were known your life would not be worth a curse.”
  • Of or relating to the confederated colonies collectively, in the time of the Revolutionary War.
  • :
  • Synonyms

    * (in the main part of a country or region, as opposed to on one of its islands ): mainland * (characteristic of the style of continental Europe ) European

    Antonyms

    * (characteristic of the style of continental Europe ): British, English

    Derived terms

    * continental breakfast * continental drift * continental plate * continental quilt * continental shelf * continental slope

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Someone from "the continent".
  • (US History) A member of the Continental army.
  • (US History) Paper scrip (paper money) issued by the continental congress, largely worthless by the end of the war (hence the expression "not worth a continental")
  • ----

    national

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Of or having to do with a nation.
  • (by extension) Of or having to do with a country (sovereign state).
  • Import tariffs were raised for the national interest.

    Usage notes

    See nation'' for notes regarding the usage of ''national to refer to the UK and its member states.

    Derived terms

    * international * nationally * nationalistic

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A subject of a nation.
  • The diplomats were advised not to interact with any foreign nationals except on official duty.
  • (usually, in the plural) A tournament in which participants from all over the nation compete.
  • After winning the regional tournament, the team advanced to the nationals .