continue
kuhn-TIHN-yoo
Continue (verb) means to keep doing something without stopping, or to start again after a pause. Example: “Please continue reading from where you left off.”
verb
1
To keep doing something without stopping, or to start again after a pause.
"Please continue reading from where you left off."
"The negotiations will continue tomorrow morning."
"If the rain continues, we will have to cancel the picnic."
How to use continue
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo keep going, or to pick back up after stopping.
Common pairings
continue to
continue with
to be continued
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Word forms
- Plural
- continues
- Third person singular
- continues
- Past tense
- continued
- Archaic forms
- continuest, continuedst, continueth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Please _____ reading from where you left off.
Etymology
From Old French continuer, from Latin continuare, "to make continuous, to join together."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for continue
See all rhymes for continue →Frequently asked questions
What does “continue” mean?
The word “continue” means to keep doing something without stopping, or to start again after a pause. In plain terms, to keep going, or to pick back up after stopping.
How do you pronounce “continue”?
“Continue” is pronounced kuhn-TIHN-yoo (/kənˈtɪn.ju/ in IPA).
How do you use “continue” in a sentence?
Here is “continue” used in a sentence: “Please continue reading from where you left off.”
What is another word for “continue”?
Words with a similar meaning to “continue” include carry on, crack on, go on with, keep, keep on and keep up.
What is the opposite of “continue”?
The opposite of “continue” — its antonyms — are terminate, stop and discontinue.
What part of speech is “continue”?
“Continue” is a verb.
Where does the word “continue” come from?
The word “continue” comes from Latin. From Old French continuer, from Latin continuare, "to make continuous, to join together.".
Is “continue” a common word?
“Continue” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between continue and resume?
Continue means to keep going without a break, carrying straight on with something already under way. Resume specifically means to start again after a pause or interruption. Continue can cover both ideas, but resume only ever refers to picking something back up after it has stopped.
What is the opposite of continue?
The main opposites are stop, cease, halt and end, all meaning to bring something to a finish. Pause and suspend are softer contrasts, implying a temporary break rather than a full stop. Quit and discontinue also work when someone gives something up for good.
What is an example of continue in a sentence?
You might say 'Please continue with your work', meaning keep going without stopping. It also covers restarting: 'The match will continue after the rain delay'. In both, continue points to an activity carrying on, either unbroken, or picked up again once a pause is over.
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