continuous

[ kuhn-tin-yoo-uhs ]

adjective

1. uninterrupted in time; without cessation:

   continuous coughing during the concert.

2. being in immediate connection or spatial relationship:

   a continuous series of blasts; a continuous row of warehouses.

3. Grammar. progressive ( def 7 ).

continuous

/ kənˈtɪnjʊəs /

adjective

1. prolonged without interruption; unceasing

   a continuous noise

2. in an unbroken series or pattern
3. See limit, discontinuous
   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
4. See discrete
   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
5. See progressive
   grammar another word for progressive

continuous

/ kən-tĭn′yo̅o̅-əs /

1. Relating to a line or curve that extends without a break or irregularity.
2. 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

Confusables Note

See continual.

Derived Forms

• conˈtinuousness, noun
• conˈtinuously, adverb

Other Words From

• con·tin·u·ous·ly adverb
• con·tin·u·ous·ness noun
• non·con·tin·u·ous adjective
• non·con·tin·u·ous·ness noun
• qua·si-con·tin·u·ous adjective
• sem·i·con·tin·u·ous adjective
• un·con·tin·u·ous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of continuous¹

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”; contain ) + -uus adjective suffix; -ous, contiguous

Word History and Origins

Origin of continuous¹

C17: from Latin continuus, from continēre to hold together, contain

Example Sentences

It’s no secret that small businesses everywhere face a continuous struggle for survival as they compete against national chains and online competition.

From Voice of San Diego

During her FKT attempt, she received continuous en route support from Warren Doyle, a nine-time AT finisher and founder of the Appalachian Trail Institute—a preparatory program for aspiring thru-hikers.

From Outside Online

Through Medicare, if a patient is terminally ill and has a life expectancy of six months or less, they can access on-call nursing assistance, medical equipment and prescriptions, as well as continuous care in crisis moments when symptoms flare.

From ProPublica

Our lineup of founders include Sonny Vu, whose last startup, Misfit, was acquired by Apple, and is currently the chief executive officer of continuous carbon-fiber 3D printing company Arevo.

From TechCrunch

The unit’s travel size doesn’t leave room for many features, but it can be set to deliver single, double, or triple pulses of water, or a continuous stream.

From Popular-Science

The director, Jonathan Demme, offers us a continuous rock experience that keeps building, becoming ever more intense and euphoric.

From The Daily Beast

There had been continuous problems with the Pratt & Whitney engines.

From The Daily Beast

That really hit me, the continuous flow of ideas without stopping.

From The Daily Beast

The ensuing night gave me the grand migraine of my life, with throbs like the blows of an ax and continuous pinwheels.

From The Daily Beast

After 57 years of continuous operation, the theater closed, was sold to a private company, and scheduled for demolition.

From The Daily Beast

Messrs. Jennens and Bettridge commenced in 1816, and improvements in the manufacture have been many and continuous.

From Project Gutenberg

That the first part of this was probably quite true we can readily agree to, also that the out-put was continuous.

From Project Gutenberg

After 24 hours' heavy and continuous fighting a substantial success has been achieved.

From Project Gutenberg

The west shore of Gidley Island appeared to be fronted by a continuous reef, on which some patches of dry rocks were observed.

From Project Gutenberg

His secret thoughts he buried beneath a continuous mental preoccupation with the vain and the trivial.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• continued
• endless
• extended
• regular
• repeated
• stable
• steady
• unbroken
• unceasing
• uninterrupted