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Meaning & use

discontinuous

adjective·Academic

Last updated

UK/ˌdɪskənˈtɪnjuəs/
US/ˌdɪskənˈtɪnjuəs/

Meanings

  1. adjectivenot comparable

    Not continuous; having breaks, gaps, or interruptions rather than flowing steadily.

    Grammar: Used to describe things that are not smooth or unbroken; often before a noun or after a linking verb.

    Patterns

    • discontinuous with something
    • a discontinuous process

    The country's history is discontinuous, with long periods of foreign rule.

    The data showed a discontinuous pattern, with sudden jumps.

    Their conversation was discontinuous, interrupted by phone calls.

  2. adjectivenot comparablemathematicstechnical

    In mathematics, (of a function) having a break or jump at a point rather than being smooth there.

    Grammar: Used in technical contexts; often followed by 'at' a point.

    Patterns

    • discontinuous at a point
    • a discontinuous function

    The function is discontinuous at x = 0.

    A discontinuous function can jump from one value to another.

Common combinations

discontinuous function
In calculus, a discontinuous function has a break in its graph.
discontinuous at a point
The curve is discontinuous at the point where the two parts meet.
discontinuous change
The policy led to discontinuous change rather than steady progress.
discontinuous with
The new findings are discontinuous with previous research.

Synonyms and how they differ

interrupted
Focuses on being broken by interruptions; discontinuous is more neutral and technical.
broken
More general and often physical; discontinuous is used for abstract patterns or math.
sporadic
Means happening at irregular intervals; discontinuous simply means not continuous.

Opposites

continuousunbroken

Word family

discontinuity noun
A break or gap in something that is normally continuous.
discontinue verb
To stop doing or providing something.
continuously adverb
In a way that continues without stopping.

Commonly confused: discontinuous or discontinued?

discontinuous vs discontinued

Discontinued means no longer produced or available; discontinuous means having breaks.

Practice

The graph shows a ______ line, with a gap in the middle.

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