# continuously

/kənˈtɪnjuəsɫi/ (US) · /kəntˈɪnjuːəsli/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adverb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/continuously
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

happening without any stops or breaks. You use this when something keeps going in a steady way for a long time.

For teachers: without interruption or cessation; in an unbroken sequence. Often used to describe mechanical processes or natural phenomena that do not pause.

## Examples

- The machine runs continuously throughout the night.
- The waterfall flows continuously, providing a steady source of power for the nearby village.
- In the high-tech laboratory, sensors monitor the temperature of the samples continuously to ensure that even a minor fluctuation does not compromise the integrity of the experiment.

## Pitfalls

- Not "The rain fell continually for three days." but "The rain fell continuously for three days." — Learners often confuse 'continually' (happening frequently but with breaks) with 'continuously' (happening without any breaks at all).

## Usage notes

- Typically placed after the verb it modifies or at the end of the clause.

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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.