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.

continuous

/ kənˈtɪnjʊəs /

adjective

1. prolonged without interruption; unceasing

   a continuous noise

2. in an unbroken series or pattern

3. 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. 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. grammar another word for progressive

continuous

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.

Other Word Forms

• continuously adverb
• continuousness noun
• noncontinuous adjective
• noncontinuousness noun
• quasi-continuous adjective
• semicontinuous adjective
• uncontinuous 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

The continuous battle of ensuring retained firefighters' right to a pension is a "complex matter", says the FBU's national officer Mark Rowe.

From BBC

While celebrating the launch of gas exports from the facility in April 2025, the energy minister called for "continuous vigilance to guarantee the efficiency, transparency and sustainability of economic benefits for the population".

From BBC

"Whilst these are naturally kept under continuous review, we do not comment on specific details so as not to compromise the safety of MPs, parliamentary staff or members of the public," they added.

From BBC

In the modern era, a large and seemingly continuous slide that began in the Portuguese Bend neighborhood in 1956 has destroyed hundreds of homes.

From Los Angeles Times

That critique assumes great masses of voters devour campaign memoirs with the same voracious appetite as those who surrender their Sundays to the Beltway chat shows, or mainline political news like a continuous IV drip.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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