Meanings
proper noun
- The contiguous continent of Europe, excluding its surrounding islands.
Synonyms: mainland Europe
- informalThe European countries, excluding the United Kingdom, Ireland and Iceland.
But it’s not just Jean-Claude Juncker who believes that May lives in another galaxy: most leaders in continental Europe believe that – including Angela Merkel.
2017 May 4, Stephan Richter, “The Erdoğan of Downing Street, a Le Pen in No 10: that’s how Merkel sees May”, in the Guardian
Synonyms & antonyms
proper nounThe contiguous continent of Europe, excluding its surrounding islands.
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Also see
Translations
Chinese Mandarin 歐陸 /欧陆
- 歐陸 /欧陆 (ōulù)Translations
Cite this entry
APA
continental Europe. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/continental%20Europe
MLA
“continental Europe.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/continental%20Europe. Accessed November 4, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “continental Europe,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/continental%20Europe.
Source: continental Europe on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.