continuous
Americanadjective
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uninterrupted in time; without cessation.
continuous coughing during the concert.
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being in immediate connection or spatial relationship.
a continuous series of blasts; a continuous row of warehouses.
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Grammar. progressive.
adjective
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prolonged without interruption; unceasing
a continuous noise
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in an unbroken series or pattern
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maths (of a function or curve) changing gradually in value as the variable changes in value. A function f is continuous if at every value a of the independent variable the difference between f( x ) and f( a ) approaches zero as x approaches a Compare discontinuous See also limit
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statistics (of a variable) having a continuum of possible values so that its distribution requires integration rather than summation to determine its cumulative probability Compare discrete
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grammar another word for progressive
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Relating to a line or curve that extends without a break or irregularity.
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A function in which changes, however small, to any x- value result in small changes to the corresponding y- value, without sudden jumps. Technically, a function is continuous at the point c if it meets the following condition: for any positive number ε, however small, there exists a positive number δ such that for all x within the distance δ from c, the value of f (x) will be within the distance ε from f (c). Polynomials, exponential functions, and trigonometric functions are examples of continuous functions.
Usage
Both continual and continuous can be used to say that something continues without interruption, but only continual can correctly be used to say that something keeps happening repeatedly
Commonly Confused
See continual.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of continuous
First recorded in 1635–45; from Latin continuus “uninterrupted,” equivalent to contin(ēre) “to hold together, retain” ( con- con- + -tinēre, combining form of tenēre “to hold”; cf. contain) + -uus adjective suffix; cf. -ous, contiguous
Compare meaning
How does continuous compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
The adjective continuous describes something that occurs over space or time without interruption. Some computer fans make a continuous noise — a constant buzz — that can drive you to distraction. Continuous things don’t stop, not even for a coffee break. A continuous sheet of ice has no cracks, a continuous noise never pauses, and a continuous line of railroad is the kind you want if you’re on a train. Continual, on the other hand, is used to describe things that start and stop occasionally. Use continuous for anything that goes on and on.
Vocabulary lists containing continuous
Word Generation Science - Introductory Chemistry Concepts
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Commonly Confused Words, List 1
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Academic Vocabulary: Core Tier 2 Words, List 9
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Continuous capital inflow and growing loan demand could also boost 2027 net interest margins for DBS Group, United Overseas Bank and Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. and lift their net interest income.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026
Continuous gold futures increased 3.8% to $4,864.40 an ounce following the cease-fire news.
From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026
Continuous gold contracts increased 2.1% to a record $4,593.6 an ounce, while silver rose 6.2% to a record of $84.29 an ounce.
From Barron's • Jan. 12, 2026
Continuous fields, ion flows, dendritic integration, local oscillatory coupling, and emergent electromagnetic interactions are not just biological "details" that can be ignored while extracting an abstract algorithm.
From Science Daily • Dec. 24, 2025
Continuous running is effected by devices which permit the quick disengagement of the stop throw-out mechanism.
From Paper-Cutting Machines A Primer of Information about Paper and Card Trimmers, Hand-Lever Cutters, Power Cutters and Other Automatic Machines for Cutting Paper (Typographic Technical Series Part 1, No. 10) by Grayson, David
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
