continue

[ kuhn-tin-yoo ]

verb (used without object)

, con·tin·ued, con·tin·u·ing.

1. to go on after suspension or interruption:

   The program continued after an intermission.

2. to go on or keep on, as in some course or action; extend:

   The road continues for three miles.

   Antonyms: cease

3. to last or endure:

   The strike continued for two months.

4. to remain in a particular state or capacity:

   The general agreed to continue in command of the army.

5. to remain in a place; abide; stay:

   Let us continue in this house forever.

verb (used with object)

, con·tin·ued, con·tin·u·ing.

1. to go on with or persist in:

   to continue an action.

2. to carry on from the point of suspension or interruption:

   He continued the concert after the latecomers were seated.

3. to extend from one point to another in space; prolong.
4. to say in continuation.
5. to cause to last or endure; maintain or retain, as in a position.
6. to carry over, postpone, or adjourn; keep pending, as a legal proceeding.

continue

/ kənˈtɪnjuː /

verb

1. when tr, may take an infinitive to remain or cause to remain in a particular condition, capacity, or place
2. when tr, may take an infinitive to carry on uninterruptedly (a course of action); persist in (something)

   he continued running

3. when tr, may take an infinitive to resume after an interruption

   we'll continue after lunch

4. to draw out or be drawn out; prolong or be prolonged

   continue the chord until it meets the tangent

5. tr law to postpone or adjourn (legal proceedings)

Derived Forms

• conˈtinuer, noun
• conˈtinuingly, adverb
• conˈtinuable, adjective

Other Words From

• con·tinu·a·ble adjective
• con·tinu·er noun
• con·tinu·ing·ly adverb
• noncon·tinu·a·ble adjective
• noncon·tinu·a·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of continue¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin continuāre “to make all one,” verbal derivative of continuus continuous

Word History and Origins

Origin of continue¹

C14: from Old French continuer, from Latin continuāre to join together, from continuus continuous

Synonym Study

Continue, endure, persist, persevere, last, remain imply existing uninterruptedly for an appreciable length of time. Continue implies duration or existence without break or interruption. Endure, used of people or things, implies persistent continuance against influences that tend to weaken, undermine, or destroy. Persist and persevere, used principally of people, both imply firm and steadfast continuance in the face of opposition. Persist suggests human opposition: He persisted after he had been warned; and persevere suggests opposition from any source, often an impersonal one: He persevered despite fatigue. Last often applies to something that holds out to a desired end, fresh, unimpaired, or unexhausted, sometimes under conditions that tend to produce the opposite effect: They had provisions enough to last all winter. Remain is especially applied to what continues without change in its essential state: He remained a bachelor.

Example Sentences

The debate over who really pulled off the Sony hack, then, could continue indefinitely.

From The Daily Beast

Although the blood-spattered offices will be off-limits, staff have vowed to continue producing the magazine.

From The Daily Beast

They tried to continue their getaway but had to quickly abandon their vehicle on the Rue de Meaux in the 19th.

From The Daily Beast

“Our members continue to face a number of challenges,” she said.

From The Daily Beast

The people who are involved in the violence, they figure out ways to remain here at all costs and continue causing trouble.

From The Daily Beast

Felipe was so full of impatience to continue his search, that he hardly listened to the Father's words.

From Project Gutenberg

If he continue, he shall leave a name above a thousand: and if he rest, it shall be to his advantage.

From Project Gutenberg

It was never the intention of the Federal Reserve Act that member banks should continue the maintenance of these reserve accounts.

From Project Gutenberg

Take care of a good name: for this shall continue with thee, more than a thousand treasures precious and great.

From Project Gutenberg

A good life hath its number of days: but a good name shall continue for ever.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• advance
• carry on
• carry over
• endure
• extend
• go on
• last
• linger
• maintain
• persist
• progress
• promote
• pursue
• reach
• remain
• stay
• survive
• sustain