adj
continual
kuhn-TIHN-yoo-uhl
adj
1
Happening again and again over time, often with brief pauses in between.
"The factory has had continual problems with its machinery."
How to Use Continual
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHappening repeatedly, though not necessarily without any break at all.
Common mistake
"Continual" allows for small breaks (repeated interruptions); "continuous" means without any break at all. Continual rain stops and starts; continuous rain never lets up.
Easily confused with
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “continual”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The factory has had _____ problems with its machinery.
Etymology
From Old French continuel, from Latin continuus ("continuous") plus the suffix -el.