discontinuous

adjective

dis·​con·​tin·​u·​ous ˌdis-kən-ˈtin-yə-wəs 

-yü-əs

1

a(1)

: not continuous

a discontinuous series of events

(2)

: not continued : discrete

discontinuous features of terrain

b

: lacking sequence or coherence

2

: having one or more mathematical discontinuities

—used of a variable or a function

discontinuously adverb

Synonyms

• sporadic
• intermittent
• occasional
• sudden

Examples of discontinuous in a Sentence

a discontinuous series of events

the novel captures the discontinuous nature of a soldier's life: long stretches of boredom interrupted by flashes of action

Recent Examples on the Web

Each take has this in and out that sounds discontinuous. —Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2025

When reinforced with discontinuous fibers, vitrimers, a class of plastic, can be reshaped repeatedly, crushed, and molded into new forms many times without their chemical structure degrading. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2025

Increased spotting potential east of the PCT exists, however, these spots have low potential for spread due to sparse, discontinuous vegetation or they can be accessed and suppressed by firefighting resources. —Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 12 July 2025

Spread in thin, discontinuous bands across a few miles of terrain, the ancient material is a challenge to identify and even harder to access. —Ella Jeffries, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1645, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Rhymes for discontinuous

• continuous
• semicontinuous

Kids Definition

discontinuous

adjective

dis·​con·​tin·​u·​ous ˌdis-kən-ˈtin-yə-wəs 

: not continuous : having interruptions or gaps : broken

discontinuous sleep

discontinuity

(ˌ)dis-ˌkänt-ᵊn-ˈ(y)ü-ət-ē

noun

discontinuously

ˌdis-kən-ˈtin-yə-wəs-lē

adverb