Adjacent:
* Means "next to" or "neighboring." It implies a direct connection or proximity.
* Doesn't require continuous contact. Think of two houses on separate lots - they are adjacent because they share a boundary but might not actually touch.
* Can be used in a variety of contexts. It can describe physical objects (houses, rooms), geographical locations (countries, states), or even abstract concepts (ideas, themes).
Contiguous:
* Means "touching or sharing a common boundary." It implies continuous contact or a shared edge.
* Requires physical connection. Think of two pieces of land that share a fence line.
* Primarily used in physical contexts. It's more common to use it to describe land, territories, or physical objects that are physically connected.
Examples:
* Adjacent: "The houses on either side of mine are adjacent." (They share a boundary but might have a gap between them.)
* Contiguous: "The two states are contiguous." (They share a border and touch each other.)
In short:
* Adjacent is a broader term that implies proximity but not necessarily contact.
* Contiguous is a more specific term that implies direct, continuous contact.