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
- continuously adverb
- continuousness noun
- noncontinuous adjective
- noncontinuousness noun
- quasi-continuous adjective
- semicontinuous adjective
- uncontinuous adjective
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”; contain ) + -uus adjective suffix; -ous, contiguous
Compare meaning
How does continuous compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
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.
Once fielded, those systems demand continuous upgrades and integration work as modern defense doctrine emphasizes ongoing modernization rather than static platforms.
From MarketWatch
California’s elderly parole program generally considers the release of prisoners who are older than 50 and have been incarcerated for at least 20 continuous years, considering whether someone poses an unreasonable risk to public safety.
From Los Angeles Times
A key question is whether these more sustainable materials can match the durability and efficiency required for continuous industrial use.
From Science Daily
Aeva’s lidar is a little different from others, using “frequency modulated continuous wave” technology, which means it’s more immune to glare and sunlight and easier to use to calculate the velocity of objects.
From Barron's
RAF Fylingdales provides a continuous ballistic missile early warning service to the UK and US governments, with about 320 service personnel, Ministry of Defence Police and civilian staff working at the site.
From BBC
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.
