Continually

kənˈtɪnjuəli

adverbIntermediate📊CommonTime
1 meaning3 questions

Definitions

1

Happening frequently or repeatedly; without interruption.

kənˈtɪnjuəli

adverbneutralIntermediate
Time

Happening again and again, without interruption

The rain fell continually throughout the night.

💡 Simply: Think of a leaky faucet that drips... and drips... and drips... That's something happening continually! It just keeps going.

👶 For kids: It means something happens over and over again without stopping, like if you keep wiggling your toes.

More Examples

2

She was continually interrupting the speaker.

3

The company is continually innovating its products.

How It's Used

General

"The project was continually delayed due to funding issues."

Technical

"The software updates continually improved system performance."

Synonyms & Antonyms

From Middle English *continuelly*, from *continuel* ("continuing") + *-ly* (adverbial suffix). *Continuel* itself comes from Old French *continuel* (Modern French *continuel*), from Latin *continuus* ("continuous").

The word 'continually' has been used in English since the 14th century, initially used to describe ongoing processes or actions, and it continues to be used in the same context.

Memory tip

Imagine a conveyor belt; things keep moving *continually*.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"continuous, unbroken"

continually improvecontinually changecontinually evolvecontinually updated

Common misspellings

continuously

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written