continual

[kuhn-tin-yoo-uhl]

adjective

1. of regular or frequent recurrence; often repeated; very frequent.

   continual bus departures.

   Synonyms: repetitious, repetitive, recurrent, successive

2. happening without interruption or cessation; continuous in time.

   Synonyms: unending, permanent, unbroken, unremitting, uninterrupted, incessant, ceaseless, unceasing

continual

/ kənˈtɪnjʊəl /

adjective

1. recurring frequently, esp at regular intervals

2. occurring without interruption; continuous in time

Confusables Note

Although usage guides generally advise that continual may be used only to mean “intermittent” and continuous only to mean “uninterrupted,” the words are used interchangeably in all kinds of speech and writing with no distinction in meaning: The president's life is under continual (or continuous ) scrutiny. Continuous (or continual ) bursts of laughter punctuated her testimony. The adverbs continually and continuously are also used interchangeably. To make a clear distinction between what occurs at short intervals and what proceeds without interruption, writers sometimes use the contrasting terms intermittent ( intermittent losses of power during the storm ) and uninterrupted ( uninterrupted reception during the storm ) or similar expressions. Continuous is not interchangeable with continual in the sense of spatial relationship: a continuous (not continual ) series of passages.

Other Word Forms

• continuality noun
• continually adverb
• continualness noun
• quasi-continual adjective
• quasi-continually adverb
• uncontinual adjective
• uncontinually adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of continual¹

First recorded in 1300–50; from Medieval Latin continuālis, equivalent to Latin continu(us) “uninterrupted” + -ālis adjective suffix; replacing Middle English continuel, from Middle French, from Latin, as above; continuous, -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of continual¹

C14: from Old French continuel, from Latin continuus uninterrupted, from continēre to hold together, _contain

Example Sentences

Since Measure ULA is a continual source of funds, the Housing Department will be releasing new funding on a yearly basis going forward.

From Los Angeles Times

They have been damaged by shelling and are short of medical supplies to help both the starving, and those injured in the continual bombardment.

From BBC

With both actors confidently cutting loose, their chemistry pulls so much focus that it’s a continual struggle to remember the basic conceit.

From Los Angeles Times

Throughout the report, there are continual references to the media regulator, Ofcom - which is seen to have done a better job by maintaining a focus on continual investment in better infrastructure over time.

From BBC

One lunar day is equivalent to four weeks on Earth, made up of two weeks of continual sunshine and two weeks of darkness.

From BBC

Related Words

• around-the-clock 
• ceaseless 
• continuous 
• endless 
• enduring 
• frequent 
• interminable 
• perpetual 
• persistent 
• recurrent 
• relentless 
• repeated 
• steady 
• unbroken 
• unceasing 
• unending 
• uninterrupted 
• unremitting