continuity
kon-tih-NYOO-ih-tee
Continuity (noun) means an unbroken, consistent flow or connection over time, without gaps or interruption. Example: “Teachers value continuity, because children learn best when lessons follow a steady pattern.”
noun
1
An unbroken, consistent flow or connection over time, without gaps or interruption.
"Teachers value continuity, because children learn best when lessons follow a steady pattern."
"The company promised continuity of service while the building was being repaired."
"The new manager worked hard to maintain continuity within the team."
2
(film/TV) Consistency of small details between shots depicting the same scene.
"Viewers noticed a continuity mistake when the actor's coffee cup changed hands between shots."
"One job of the script supervisor is checking continuity from scene to scene."
"The editor was fired after several embarrassing continuity errors made it to air."
How to use continuity
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn unbroken, consistent connection — either in a story, a process, or between shots in a film.
Common pairings
continuity error
maintain continuity
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Word forms
- Plural
- continuities
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Teachers value _____, because children learn best when lessons follow a steady pattern.
Etymology
From Middle French continuité, from Latin continuitas, built from continue + -ity.
Synonyms
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consistency
cohesion
seamlessness
persistence
continence
continuousness
flow
ongoingness
uninterruptedness
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for continuity
See all rhymes for continuity →Frequently asked questions
What does “continuity” mean?
The word “continuity” means an unbroken, consistent flow or connection over time, without gaps or interruption. In plain terms, an unbroken, consistent connection — either in a story, a process, or between shots in a film.
How do you pronounce “continuity”?
“Continuity” is pronounced kon-tih-NYOO-ih-tee (/ˌkɑn.tɪˈn(j)u.ə.ti/ in IPA).
How do you use “continuity” in a sentence?
Here is “continuity” used in a sentence: “The new manager worked hard to maintain continuity within the team.”
What is another word for “continuity”?
Words with a similar meaning to “continuity” include continence, continuousness, flow, ongoingness and uninterruptedness.
What is the opposite of “continuity”?
The opposite of “continuity” — its antonyms — are discontinuity, noncontinuity and unevenness.
What part of speech is “continuity”?
“Continuity” is a noun.
Where does the word “continuity” come from?
The word “continuity” comes from Latin. From Middle French continuité, from Latin continuitas, built from continue + -ity.
Is “continuity” a common word?
“Continuity” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
What is the difference between continuity and consistency?
Continuity refers to an unbroken flow or connection over time without gaps or interruption, while consistency refers to things matching or agreeing with each other, whether or not time is involved. A story can have continuity by unfolding without breaks, while also having consistency in its characters' behavior.
What does continuity mean in film and television production?
In film and TV, continuity refers to the consistency of small details, such as clothing, props, or lighting, between shots that depict the same scene, even if they were filmed at different times. A continuity error occurs when such a detail changes noticeably between shots.
What is a continuity plan in a business context?
A business continuity plan outlines how an organization will keep operating without interruption during a disruption, such as a natural disaster or system failure. It draws on the core meaning of continuity as an unbroken, consistent flow over time.
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