# continually

/kənˈtɪnjuəɫi/ (US) · /kəntˈɪnjuːəli/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/continually
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. repeatedly

adverb · CEFR B2

happening many times or very often, usually in a way that is annoying or noticeable.

For teachers: occurring in regular or frequent succession. Often carries a pragmatic nuance of persistence or irritation.

- He continually asked the same question even though I had already answered it.
- The software was continually updated throughout the year to address minor bugs and security vulnerabilities reported by users.

### 2. without stopping

adverb · CEFR C1 · Formal

happening without any breaks or interruptions.

For teachers: occurring without interruption or cessation; in a continuous manner. Note that many style guides prefer 'continuously' for this specific meaning.

- It rained continually for three days, and the streets never had a chance to dry.
- The waterfall flows continually from the cliffside, providing a steady source of hydroelectric power for the remote village.

Usage: In formal writing, 'continually' is strictly for repeated events, while 'continuously' is for uninterrupted ones.

## Examples

- The old roof continually leaks during the rainy season.
- The project was continually delayed by minor technical issues that the team failed to address early on.
- Throughout the negotiations, the representative was continually interrupted by protestors, making it nearly impossible to deliver a coherent statement to the press.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.