noun · verb · 18 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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kən-tĭnʹyo͞o
Received-Pronunciation:/kənˈtɪn.juː/
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
Ireland:/kənˈtɪn.jʉu/
/kənˈtɪn juː/Dublin
Canada, General-American:/kənˈtɪn.ju/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with -uː
CMU ARPABET:K AH0 N T IH1 N Y UW0
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
An option allowing the player to resume play after game over, when all lives have been lost, while retaining their progress.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: video-games
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
verb
Meaning 2
To proceed with (doing an activity); to prolong (an activity).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
Shall I continue speaking, or will you just interrupt me again?
Do you want me to continue to unload these?
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: extend, run
Antonyms: none provided
3
verb
Meaning 3
To make last; to prolong.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
verb
Meaning 4
To retain (someone or something) in a given state, position, etc.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
verb
Meaning 5
To remain in a given place or condition; to remain in connection with; to abide; to stay.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
Qualifier: copulative sense obsolete
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
verb
Meaning 6
To resume.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
Examples
When will the concert continue?
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
7
verb
Meaning 7
To adjourn, prorogue, put off.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Topics: law
Examples
This meeting has been continued to the thirteenth of July.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
8
verb
Meaning 8
To make a continuation bet.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: slang
Topics: card-games, poker
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
9
verb
Meaning 9
exist over a prolonged period of time
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
The bad weather continued for two more weeks
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: be
Narrower terms: carry, extend, prevail, persist, die hard, run, endure, stand
10
verb
Meaning 10
continue talking he continued,
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
I know it's hard,
but there is no choice
carry on--pretend we are not in the room
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: go on, carry on, proceed
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: talk, speak
Narrower terms: segue, ramble on, ramble, jog
11
verb
Meaning 11
move ahead; travel onward in time or space
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
We proceeded towards Washington
She continued in the direction of the hills
We are moving ahead in time now
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: proceed, go forward
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: travel, go, move, locomote
Narrower terms: head, trace, roar, limp, wander
12
verb
Meaning 12
allow to remain in a place or position or maintain a property or feature
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
We cannot continue several servants any longer
She retains a lawyer
The family's fortune waned and they could not keep their household staff
Our grant has run out and we cannot keep you on
We kept the work going as long as we could
She retained her composure
this garment retains its shape even after many washings
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: retain, keep, keep on
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: prolong, sustain, keep up
13
verb
Meaning 13
keep or maintain in unaltered condition; cause to remain or last
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
preserve the peace in the family
continue the family tradition
Carry on the old traditions
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: uphold, carry on, bear on, preserve
Antonyms: discontinue
Broader terms: keep, maintain, hold
Narrower terms: resume, restart, re-start, persevere, persist, hang in, hang on, hold on, perpetuate, prolong, sustain, keep up, mummify
After graduation, she stayed on in Cambridge as a student adviser
Stay with me, please
despite student protests, he remained Dean for another year
She continued as deputy mayor for another year
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: stay, stay on, remain
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: be
Narrower terms: bide, abide, stay, hold over
17
verb
Meaning 17
continue after an interruption
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
The demonstration continued after a break for lunch
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: act, move
18
verb
Meaning 18
do something repeatedly and showing no intention to stop
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
We continued our research into the cause of the illness
The landlord persists in asking us to move
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: persist in
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: act, move
History
Etymology
From Middle English continuen, from Old French continuer, from Latin continuāre. Displaced native Middle English thurghwonen, from Old English þurhwunian.
Across languages
Translations
139 source translations are retained for this English entry.