Continuously: meaning, definitions and examples

Add to dictionary

continuously

 

[kənˈtɪn.ju.əs.li ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adverb

in a continuous manner

Continuously means without interruption or pause, happening without stopping. It can refer to something that goes on without a break or something that is repeated over and over again.

Synonyms

constantly, incessantly, persistently.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
continuously

Use this word when something happens without any breaks or interruptions.

  • The river flows continuously towards the sea
  • The machine operates continuously for 24 hours
constantly

This word is best when describing something that happens all the time or very frequently, without being literally non-stop.

  • He constantly checks his phone for messages
  • The weather here is constantly changing
persistently

Use this word when describing something that continues despite difficulties or opposition and typically has a determined quality.

  • She persistently pursued her dream of becoming a doctor
  • He persistently asked for help even though everyone was busy
incessantly

This word is used to describe something that continues without stopping and can be annoying.

  • The baby cried incessantly throughout the night
  • He talked incessantly about his new project

Examples of usage

  • The rain fell continuously for three days.
  • She worked continuously on her project until it was finished.
Context #2 | Adjective

forming an unbroken whole; without interruption

Continuously can also be used as an adjective to describe something that is forming an unbroken whole or without interruption.

Synonyms

unbroken, unending, uninterrupted.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
continuously

Use this word when something happens without any stop for any length of time.

  • He worked continuously for eight hours without taking a break
uninterrupted

This word is suitable for situations where there is no pause or disturbance from an ongoing activity or state.

  • They had an uninterrupted conversation for hours
unbroken

Use this word to describe something that stays whole or complete without any interruptions, often used for periods of time or physical objects.

  • He enjoyed an unbroken night's sleep for the first time in weeks
unending

Choose this word to describe something that feels like it never stops, often with a sense of frustration or negativity.

  • The meeting seemed unending and everyone was tired by the end

Examples of usage

  • The continuous noise from the construction site was annoying.
  • The continuous flow of traffic made it hard to cross the street.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word 'continuously' comes from the Latin 'continuus', meaning 'uninterrupted' or 'connected'.
  • It is derived from the prefix 'con-', meaning 'together', and 'tenere', meaning 'to hold'.
  • The term has evolved over time in the English language, first appearing in the late 14th century.

Science

  • In mathematics, a continuous function is a graph that has no breaks, meaning it can be drawn without lifting a pencil.
  • Continuous processes in nature, such as the water cycle, showcase how systems operate without interruption.
  • In physics, concepts like motion can be described as continuously changing, which helps explain how objects move.

Psychology

  • Continuous reinforcement in behavior studies refers to rewarding a behavior every time it occurs, which strengthens learning.
  • Research shows that continuous exposure to a stimulus can lead to desensitization, where the response decreases over time.
  • The idea of 'continuous improvement' in personal development emphasizes making small, ongoing enhancements to habits and skills.

Education

  • Continuous learning is an approach where individuals engage in lifelong learning, adapting skills as needed throughout life.
  • The concept of continuous assessment helps track student progress through ongoing evaluations rather than just final exams.
  • In teaching, a continuous curriculum is designed to build on students' knowledge step by step without significant breaks.

Cultural References

  • The phrase 'continuously evolving' often describes technology, highlighting how innovations never truly stop developing.
  • Many modern businesses focus on continuous feedback loops from customers to improve services and products without delay.
  • In storytelling, a continuous narrative helps create a sense of flow, keeping audiences engaged from beginning to end.

Translations

Translations of the word "continuously" in other languages:

🇵🇹 continuamente

🇮🇳 लगातार

🇩🇪 kontinuierlich

🇮🇩 terus-menerus

🇺🇦 безперервно

🇵🇱 ciągle

🇯🇵 絶え間なく (tae manaku)

🇫🇷 continuellement

🇪🇸 continuamente

🇹🇷 sürekli

🇰🇷 계속해서 (gyesokhaeseo)

🇸🇦 باستمرار (bistimrar)

🇨🇿 nepřetržitě

🇸🇰 nepretržite

🇨🇳 不断地 (bùduàn de)

🇸🇮 neprekinjeno

🇮🇸 stöðugt

🇰🇿 үздіксіз

🇬🇪 უწყვეტლივ

🇦🇿 davamlı olaraq

🇲🇽 continuamente

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,296, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.