continually

adverb

con·​tin·​u·​al·​ly kən-ˈtin-yü-ə-lē 

-yə-lē

: in a continual manner : without stopping or interruption

a security system that runs continually

We had endured a series of dark, gloomy, winter days, during which the sun had been continually hidden behind dense, rain clouds.

—George Thatcher

… I was too thoroughly swept away by this richly imagined and continually surprising novel to be concerned with cute comparisons.

—Edan Lepucki

They bickered continually, ignoring me as I worked around them.

—Paula Fox

: in a constantly repeated manner : over and over

being interrupted continually

She would write. I would read and edit, and sometimes shift the wordings, or change phrases or delete things. We would continually refine what was written.

—Herbie Hancock

Synonyms of continually

• constantly
• often
• repeatedly
• frequently

Examples of continually in a Sentence

grew up in a time when children were continually being told to mind their manners

the computer program continually updates the file with new information

Recent Examples on the Web

His athleticism and measurables project him to be an intriguing 3-and-D prospect, which is an element the Heat continually have valued. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2026

The space behind the midfield is continually flooded, with movement from Barcelona’s creative midfielders leaving Bellingham and Tchouameni with too many runs to track. —Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 10 May 2026

Hanging curtains around the doors will continually let the light in while helping to keep your area as your own. —Macie Stump, Southern Living, 10 May 2026

Caputo subsequently published numerous other books, including ones that continually returned to aspects of the Vietnam War and its harrowing after-effects. —Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English contynuely, from continuel continual + -ly -ly entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above