continual adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes | Oxford Advanced American Dictionary at OxfordLearnersDictionaries.com

Definition of continual adjective from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

     

    continual

     adjective
    adjective
    NAmE//kənˈtɪnyuəl//
     
    [only before noun]
     
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  1. 1repeated many times in a way that is annoying continual complaints/interruptions
  2. 2continuing without interruption synonym continuous He was in a continual process of rewriting his material. We lived in continual fear of being discovered. Her daughter was a continual source of delight to her. She kept the letter as a continual reminder of his kindness. Which Word?continuous / continualThese adjectives are frequently used with the following nouns:
    continuous ~continual ~
    processchange
    employmentproblems
    flowupdating
    linequestions
    speechpain
    supplyfear
    • Continuous describes something that continues without stopping.
    • Continual usually describes an action that is repeated again and again.
    • The difference between these two words is now disappearing. In particular, continual can also mean the same as continuous and is used especially about undesirable things:Life was a continual struggle for them.However, continuous is much more frequent in this sense.
 
adverb They argue continually about money. the need to adapt to new and continually changing circumstances New products are continually being developed.
See continual in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary