Continually
Definition
Continually is an adverb that refers to something that happens repeatedly or frequently over a period of time, with occasional pauses or interruptions. It contrasts with "continuously," which implies no interruptions.
Parts of Speech
- Adverb
Pronunciation
American English
- IPA Pronunciation: /kənˈtɪnjuəli/
- Respelling: kuhn-TIN-yoo-uh-lee
British English
- IPA Pronunciation: /kənˈtɪnjʊəli/
- Respelling: kuhn-TIN-yoo-uh-lee
The pronunciation of "continually" is nearly identical in both American and British English, with slight variations in the vowel sounds.
Etymology
The word "continually" is derived from the Latin "continuare," meaning "to continue" or "to make continuous." It evolved through the Old French "continuel," and entered Middle English as "continuel" before taking its modern form.
Derivatives
- Continue (verb)
- Continual (adjective)
- Continuity (noun)
- Continuation (noun)
- Continuously (adverb)
Synonyms
- Repeatedly
- Regularly
- Frequently
Antonyms
- Rarely
- Infrequently
- Occasionally
Usage
The adverb "continually" is commonly used to describe actions, behaviors, or events that occur frequently over time but with some breaks. For example, it can describe a person who continually checks their phone throughout the day or an engine that continually stops and starts. It is often contrasted with "continuously," which suggests no interruptions or breaks in action.
Related Terms
- Constantly: Without interruption; continuously.
- Regularly: At uniform intervals or on a consistent basis.
- Perpetually: In a way that continues indefinitely without cessation.
Detailed Definitions
Adverb
- Happening repeatedly or frequently over time: Refers to an event or action that occurs often, though not necessarily without breaks.
- Example: "The alarm went off continually throughout the night."
continually
🇨🇳 Mandarin (Chinese)
- 持续地 (chíxù dì)
- IPA: /ʈʂʰɨ˧˥ɕy˧˥ ti˨˩˦/
- Respelling: CHI-shu dee
- 不断地 (bùduàn dì)
- IPA: /pu˧˥twan˨˩˦ ti˨˩˦/
- Respelling: BU-duan dee
🇮🇳 Hindi
- लगातार (lagātār)
- IPA: /ləˈgɑː.t̪aːr/
- Respelling: la-GA-taar
- निरंतर (nirantar)
- IPA: /nɪˈɾən.t̪ər/
- Respelling: nir-AN-tar
🇪🇸 Spanish
- Continuamente
- IPA: /kontinwaˈmente/
- Respelling: kon-tee-nwa-MEN-te
- Incesantemente
- IPA: /inθesanteˈmente/ (in Spain), /insesanteˈmente/ (in Latin America)
- Respelling: in-theh-san-te-MEN-te (Spain), in-seh-san-te-MEN-te (LatAm)
🇫🇷 French
- Continuellement
- IPA: /kɔ̃tinɥɛlmɑ̃/
- Respelling: kon-tee-nyoo-EL-man
- Sans cesse
- IPA: /sɑ̃ sɛs/
- Respelling: san SES
🇸🇦 Modern Standard Arabic
- باستمرار (bi istimrar)
- IPA: /bi istimˈraːr/
- Respelling: bi is-tim-RAAR
- دائمًا (dā'iman)
- IPA: /ˈdaːʔiman/
- Respelling: DAA'i-man
🇧🇩 Bengali
- অবিরাম (obirām)
- IPA: /obiraːm/
- Respelling: o-BI-ram
- নিরন্তর (nirontor)
- IPA: /nironːt̪or/
- Respelling: ni-RON-tor
🇷🇺 Russian
- Постоянно (postoyanno)
- IPA: /pəstɐˈjanə/
- Respelling: po-sto-YAN-no
- Непрерывно (nepreryvno)
- IPA: /nʲɪprʲɪˈrɨvnə/
- Respelling: ne-pre-RYV-no
🇵🇹 Portuguese
- Continuamente
- IPA: /kõtinwɐˈmẽt(ʃ)i/
- Respelling: kon-tee-nwa-MEN-chee
- Incessantemente
- IPA: /ĩsɨsɐ̃təˈmẽt(ʃ)i/
- Respelling: in-seh-san-te-MEN-chee
🇮🇩 Indonesian
- Terus-menerus
- IPA: /tərus mənərus/
- Respelling: te-ROOS me-NE-roos
- Secara berkelanjutan
- IPA: /səˈt͡ʃara bərkəlanjutan/
- Respelling: se-CHA-ra ber-ke-lan-JU-tan
🇩🇪 German
- Kontinuierlich
- IPA: /kɔntiˈnuːɐ̯lɪç/
- Respelling: kon-tee-NOO-er-likh
- Ständig
- IPA: /ˈʃtɛndɪç/
- Respelling: SHTEN-dikh
🇯🇵 Japanese
- 継続的に (keizoku-teki ni)
- IPA: /keːdzokɯteki ni/
- Respelling: kee-dzo-ku-TE-ki nee
- 常に (tsune ni)
- IPA: /tsune ni/
- Respelling: TSU-ne nee
🇻🇳 Vietnamese
- Liên tục
- IPA: /ljen ʈuk˧˩/
- Respelling: LYEN tuc
- Mãi mãi
- IPA: /maːi˧ maːi˧/
- Respelling: MAI MAI
🇰🇷 Korean
- 지속적으로 (jisokjeogeuro)
- IPA: /t͡ɕi.sok.t͡ʃʌ.ɡʌ.ro/
- Respelling: JI-sok-JEOG-eu-ro
- 계속 (gyesok)
- IPA: /ɡje.sokʰ/
- Respelling: GYE-sok
🇹🇷 Turkish
- Sürekli
- IPA: /syːˈrekli/
- Respelling: soo-REK-lee
- Devamlı
- IPA: /deˈvamli/
- Respelling: de-VAM-lee
🇵🇰 Urdu
- مسلسل (musalasal)
- IPA: /musəlˈsəl/
- Respelling: mu-SAL-sal
- بلا توقف (bila taūqīf)
- IPA: /bɪˈlɑː t̪oːˈqiːf/
- Respelling: bi-LA too-KEEF
