Continuous: meaning, definitions and examples

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continuous

 

[ kənˈtɪnjuəs ]

Adjective / Noun
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Adjective

without interruption

Continuing without stopping; ongoing. Happening or existing for a long or longer than usual time. In unbroken sequence or succession; without a break.

Synonyms

constant, unceasing, uninterrupted.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
continuous

Often used when something goes on without stopping, especially over a specific duration or path.

  • The continuous hum of the machine was soothing
  • The river flows in a continuous line through the valley
uninterrupted

Best used when indicating something that is not stopped or hindered by any obstacles or breaks.

  • She gave an uninterrupted speech for over an hour
  • We enjoyed an uninterrupted view of the mountains
unceasing

Used to describe something that doesn't stop, often implying a tiring or overwhelming nature. This word has a slightly negative connotation.

  • The unceasing rain caused the flooding
  • He faced unceasing criticism from his peers
constant

Applicable when something is persistent or unchanged over time, often conveying the sense of reliability.

  • The constant support from her family helped her succeed
  • There was a constant breeze throughout the day

Examples of usage

  • The continuous noise from the construction site was driving me crazy.
  • She stared at the painting in continuous awe.
  • The continuous rain made the roads slippery.
Context #2 | Noun

mathematics

A function of which the graph is a curve that is unbroken.

Synonyms

smooth, unbroken, uninterrupted.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
continuous

Describes something that happens without any breaks or pauses.

  • The continuous noise from the construction site was very annoying.
  • He had to work continuous hours to finish the project on time.
unbroken

Indicates something that is not disrupted or broken; can be used for periods of time or physical objects.

  • The desert stretched out in an unbroken expanse as far as the eye could see.
  • She enjoyed 10 years of unbroken happiness before the tragedy struck.
smooth

Describes something that is even, without bumps and pleasant in texture or operation. Often used for physical surfaces or processes.

  • The smooth surface of the table made it easy to write on.
  • The transition from one scene to the next was smooth in the movie.
uninterrupted

Implies that something proceeds without any disruption or interference.

  • He was able to work in uninterrupted silence in his home office.
  • The network broadcast the game uninterrupted, ensuring fans didn't miss a moment.

Examples of usage

  • The function f(x) = x^2 is an example of a continuous function.
  • In calculus, understanding continuous functions is crucial.

Translations

Translations of the word "continuous" in other languages:

🇵🇹 contínuo

🇮🇳 निरंतर

🇩🇪 kontinuierlich

🇮🇩 terus-menerus

🇺🇦 безперервний

🇵🇱 ciągły

🇯🇵 連続的な

🇫🇷 continu

🇪🇸 continuo

🇹🇷 sürekli

🇰🇷 연속적인

🇸🇦 مستمر

🇨🇿 nepřetržitý

🇸🇰 nepretržitý

🇨🇳 连续的

🇸🇮 neprekinjen

🇮🇸 samfelldur

🇰🇿 үздіксіз

🇬🇪 უწყვეტი

🇦🇿 davamlı

🇲🇽 continuo

Etymology

The word 'continuous' originated from the Latin word 'continuus', which means 'uninterrupted' or 'unbroken'. It has been used in the English language since the 17th century. The concept of continuity and continuous functions is fundamental in mathematics and has applications in various fields such as physics, engineering, and computer science.

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

Word Frequency Rank

This word ranks #1,686, placing it within important intermediate vocabulary. Learning it will significantly improve your ability to express yourself in English.