Main Entry:

con·tin·u·al

Pronunciation:

\kən-ˈtin-yü-əl, -yəl\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French continuel, from Latin continuus continuous

Date:

14th century

1 : continuing indefinitely in time without interruption <continual fear> 2 : recurring in steady usually rapid succession <a history of continual invasions>

— con·tin·u·al·ly adverb

synonyms continual, continuous, constant, incessant, perpetual, perennial mean characterized by continued occurrence or recurrence. continual often implies a close prolonged succession or recurrence <continual showers the whole weekend>. continuous usually implies an uninterrupted flow or spatial extension <football's oldest continuous rivalry>. constant implies uniform or persistent occurrence or recurrence <lived in constant pain>. incessant implies ceaseless or uninterrupted activity <annoyed by the incessant quarreling>. perpetual suggests unfailing repetition or lasting duration <a land of perpetual snowfall>. perennial implies enduring existence often through constant renewal <a perennial source of controversy>.