Continual: meaning, definitions and examples

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continual

[kənˈtɪnjuəl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

ongoing

Continual means happening repeatedly or without interruption. It implies a regular recurrence or persistence.

Synonyms

constant, continuous, uninterrupted.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
continual	Used to describe something that happens repeatedly or often, but with interruptions in between. The continual delays were frustrating for the passengers. She received continual praise for her hard work.
continuous	Used to describe an action or state that happens without any pauses or interruptions. The continuous hum of the air conditioner was soothing. She was in continuous pain after the accident.
constant	Used for something that does not change and remains steady over time. He lived in constant fear of being discovered. The temperature in the room was constant during the experiment.
uninterrupted	Refers to something that proceeds without any breaks or stops, emphasizing seamless flow. They enjoyed an uninterrupted view of the mountains. He worked for three hours uninterrupted to finish the report.

Examples of usage

She was annoyed by the continual noise coming from the construction site.
The continual rainfall made it impossible to go outside.
We need to address the continual issues with the software.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

frequent

Continual can also mean happening frequently but not constantly. It suggests a high frequency but with breaks or intervals.

Synonyms

frequent, regular, repeated.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
continual	Use when something happens without much interruption over a period of time, often implying persistence and possibly irritation. The continual rain spoiled our plans Her continual interruptions made it hard to focus
frequent	Use when something happens often with short intervals between occurrences. He makes frequent trips to the coffee shop His frequent absences from work were noted
repeated	Use when something happens multiple times, usually stressing the recurrence more than the intervals. The repeated warnings went unheeded His repeated calls for help eventually brought assistance
regular	Use when something happens at predictable intervals or patterns. She has regular check-ups every six months They hold regular meetings every Monday

Examples of usage

The continual meetings were exhausting for the team.
His continual excuses for being late were starting to wear thin.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'continual' comes from the Latin 'continuare', which means 'to connect' or 'to join together'.
In the 14th century, the term started being used to describe actions that are ongoing or repeating.
It was originally used to describe processes in nature, like the seasons changing continuously.

Linguistics

In English, 'continual' is often confused with 'continuous', but they have distinct meanings; 'continuous' refers to something that is unbroken, while 'continual' implies repeated actions.
Many adjectives in English describe frequency, with 'continual' being notable for indicating an action that happens often over time.
The suffix '-al' in 'continual' helps categorize it as an adjective describing quantity or duration.

Psychology

In psychological contexts, a continual habit can impact behavior change, emphasizing how routines become ingrained through repetition.
Behaviors that are continually practiced can foster resilience and adaptability in individuals as they adjust to ongoing changes.
Understanding continual actions can also help in creating effective learning strategies, as repetition enhances memory retention.

Philosophy

Philosophers often debate the nature of time, with continual processes like change seen as fundamental to human existence.
Continual experiences contribute to our understanding of reality, as they shape perceptions through repeated encounters.
In metaphysics, the concept of the continual existence of things supports theories of identity and change.

Literature

In literature, continual themes often highlight the human experience, where characters face repetitive challenges or journeys.
Many poets use continual motifs to evoke emotions or to illustrate the inexorable passage of time.
Authors frequently employ continual narratives to reflect the cyclical nature of life, allowing readers to explore deeper meaning in the text.

Translations

Translations of the word "continual" in other languages:

🇵🇹 contínuo

🇮🇳 निरंतर

🇩🇪 kontinuierlich

🇮🇩 berkesinambungan

🇺🇦 безперервний

🇵🇱 ciągły

🇯🇵 継続的

🇫🇷 continu

🇪🇸 continuo

🇹🇷 sürekli

🇰🇷 계속적인

🇸🇦 مستمر

🇨🇿 nepřetržitý

🇸🇰 nepretržitý

🇨🇳 连续的

🇸🇮 neprekinjen

🇮🇸 samfelldur

🇰🇿 үздіксіз

🇬🇪 უწყვეტი

🇦🇿 dayanıqlı

🇲🇽 continuo

Word Frequency Rank

At #7,191 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

...
7188 constrained
7189 terrorism
7190 vaccine
7191 continual
7192 stipulated
7193 countryside
7194 resisted
...