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Continual Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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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?

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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?

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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.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

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.

Origin of 'continual'

Main points about word origin

  • 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.

The word 'continual' originated from the Latin word 'continuus', meaning unbroken or uninterrupted. It has been used in English since the late 14th century to denote something that is ongoing or recurring. Over time, its usage has evolved to encompass both the ideas of constant repetition and frequent occurrence with breaks.

See also: continually, continuance, continuation, continuing, continuity, continuous, continuously, discontinuance, discontinuation, discontinue, discontinued, discontinuity, discontinuous.

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.