continuous
gb/kəntˈɪnjuəs/ us/kəntˈɪnjuəs/
B1
English
~ 3000
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
Happening without stopping
Happening all the time without stopping.
Usage pattern:
[something] is continuous
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'continuous' with 'continual'. 'Continuous' means without any stop, while 'continual' means happening often but with breaks.
Synonyms
uninterrupted (Emphasizes absolutely no breaks or pauses.)
|
constant (Suggests ongoing without change, but may allow small pauses in some contexts.)
Antonyms
intermittent (Happening at irregular times with breaks in between.)
|
occasional (Happening only sometimes, not all the time.)
Collocations
continuous process
|continuous flow
|continuous improvement
|continuous monitoring
|continuous supply
Themes
time
|process
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The factory runs a continuous production line.
- She has been in continuous pain for three days.
- We need a continuous supply of fresh water to keep the plants healthy.
- The river's continuous flow prevents ice from forming.
- Continuous improvement is key to business success.
Learner examples
- The rain was continuous all day.
- He felt continuous pain in his back.
- The machine works in a continuous way.
- We have continuous lessons from morning to evening.
adjective
technical
B2
property
2
Unbroken or uninterrupted in form
Without any gaps or breaks, often used in science and math.
Common mistake:
Learners might confuse 'continuous' with 'constant'. In math, 'continuous' means no breaks; it does not mean unchanging.
Synonyms
unbroken (Plainly states no separation or gaps in structure.)
Antonyms
discrete (Made of separate parts or values.)
Collocations
continuous function
|continuous spectrum
|continuous variable
Themes
science
|mathematics
|engineering
Examples
- In mathematics, a continuous function has no sudden jumps or gaps.
- The data is treated as a continuous variable for analysis.
- A rainbow shows a continuous spectrum of colors.
Learner examples
- A line is continuous if it has no break.
- Water is seen as a continuous flow.
- In math, we study continuous functions.
Grammar
Dictionary form
continuous
IPA
GB/kəntˈɪnjuəs/
US/kəntˈɪnjuəs/
Syllables & stress
con - tinu - ous (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tinu)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: continuous
Word family
Core family
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
discontinuity
noun
Expressions
continuous flow
1/kəntˈɪnjuəs flˈoʊ/
fixed phrase
Unbroken movement or supply
A movement or supply that does not stop.
Examples
- There was a continuous flow of traffic on the highway.
- The pump ensures a continuous flow of water to the fields.
continuous improvement
1/kəntˈɪnjuəs ɪmpɹˈuvmənt/
fixed phrase
Ongoing process of getting better
The process of making something better all the time without stopping.
Examples
- Our company believes in continuous improvement to stay competitive.
- Continuous improvement is a core principle of quality management.
continuous monitoring
1/kəntˈɪnjuəs mˈɑnətɚɪŋ/
fixed phrase
technical
Ongoing observation without breaks
Watching or checking something all the time without stopping.
Examples
- The system allows for continuous monitoring of air quality.
- Continuous monitoring helps detect problems early.