Continue — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /kən-ˈtin-(ˌ)yü/ con·tin·ue

Meaning & Definition of Continue

Continue (verb)

  1. to maintain without interruption a condition, course, or action
  2. to remain in existence, endure
  3. to remain in a place or condition, stay

Continue (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to remain indefinitely in existence or in the same state

    "the heavy snow continued throughout the night"

    similar: abide, bide, endure, hold on, hold up, keep up, last, perdure, persist, remain, run on
    related: linger, stay, stick around, tarry, carry through, prevail, survive
    opposite: cease, close, conclude, desist, die, discontinue, end, expire, finish, lapse, leave off, pass, quit, stop, terminate, wind up
    near: abate, die (down), ebb, let up, moderate, subside, wane

  2. to begin again or return to after an interruption

    "we'll continue this discussion after we've eaten"

    similar: pick up, proceed (with), renew, reopen, restart, resume
    related: resuscitate, revive, recrudesce
    near: complete, conclude, consummate, end, finalize, finish, belay, break, can (slang), cease, check, cut, desist, discontinue, drop, halt, knock off, leave off, quit, scuttle, shut off, stay, stop, terminate

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Continue

The most common words with a similar meaning to Continue:

abide, bide, endure, hold on, hold up, keep up, last, perdure, persist, remain, run on, pick up, proceed (with), renew, reopen, restart, resume

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Continue

Words with the opposite meaning of Continue:

cease, close, conclude, desist, die, discontinue, end, expire, finish, lapse, leave off, pass, quit, stop, terminate, wind up

Related Words for Continue

linger, stay, stick around, tarry, carry through, prevail, survive, resuscitate, revive, recrudesce

Near Antonyms of Continue

abate, die (down), ebb, let up, moderate, subside, wane, complete, consummate, finalize, belay, break, can, check, cut, drop, halt, knock off, scuttle, shut off, stay

Word Forms of Continue

Inflections: continued, continuing

Derived words: continuer (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Continue

Middle English continuen "to persist, persevere, last, postpone (a hearing or trial)," borrowed from Anglo-French continuer, borrowed from Latin continuāre "to make continuous, extend in space, keep on with," verbal derivative of continuus "uninterrupted, continuous"

First known use: 14th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Continue

  • Topics: Common Actions / Verbs

Frequently Asked Questions about Continue

What does "Continue" mean?

"Continue" means to maintain without interruption a condition, course, or action. As a verb, it is defined as: to maintain without interruption a condition, course, or action. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Continue"?

Other words for "Continue" include abide, bide, endure, hold on, hold up, keep up, last and perdure. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Continue" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Continue"?

There are 27 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Continue". Common alternatives include abide, bide, endure, hold on, hold up, keep up, last, perdure, persist and remain.

What is the opposite of "Continue"?

Antonyms of "Continue" include cease, close, conclude, desist, die, discontinue, end and expire. Near antonyms include abate, die (down), ebb and let up.

How do you use "Continue" in a sentence?

Examples of "Continue" in a sentence: "the heavy snow continued throughout the night"; "we'll continue this discussion after we've eaten".

Is "Continue" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Continue" is a verb.

How do you pronounce "Continue"?

"Continue" is pronounced /kən-ˈtin-(ˌ)yü/ and divided into syllables as con·tin·ue.

What is the origin of the word "Continue"?

"Continue" comes from Middle English continuen "to persist, persevere, last, postpone (a hearing or trial)," borrowed from Anglo-French continuer, borrowed from Latin continuāre "to make continuous, extend in space, keep on with," verbal derivative of continuus "uninterrupted, continuous". First known use: 14th centuryt.