continual
adj.adj. happening again and again over a long time. It describes something that repeats many times, often in an annoying way.
adj. occurring repeatedly or frequently over a period of time. Often used to describe recurring events or actions that are interrupted and then resumed, rather than a single unbroken state.
The project was delayed by continual changes to the plan.
The old car required continual repairs to stay on the road, costing the owner more than a new vehicle.
Despite the continual interruptions from the gallery, the speaker managed to deliver a coherent argument regarding the proposed environmental legislation.
From Middle English continuel, from Old French continuel, formed from Latin continuus (“continuous”) with the suffix -el, equivalent to continue + -al.
Typically used attributively before a noun; often contrasted with 'continuous' to distinguish between repeated and unbroken actions.
the continual noise of the waterfallthe continuous noise of the waterfallUse 'continual' for things that happen repeatedly with breaks; use 'continuous' for things that never stop.