discontinuous

/ˌdɪskənˈtɪnjuəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌdɪskənˈtɪnjuəs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌdis-kən-ˈtin-yə-wəs -yü-əs/ (ame, mw)

discontinuous — adjective

  • discontinuouspositive
  • more discontinuouscomparative
  • most discontinuoussuperlative

1. broken into separate parts, with gaps or pauses instead of one smooth whole.

1.形容詞C1
釋義

broken into separate parts, with gaps or pauses instead of one smooth whole.

例句

The trail became discontinuous where the flood had washed away the wooden bridge.

physical route with a missing section

During the storm, Yasmin heard only discontinuous bursts of music from the radio.

collocation: discontinuous bursts of sound

同義詞
  • intermittent

    usually emphasizes something that stops and starts over time

  • broken

    more everyday and can also suggest physical damage

  • fragmented

    often suggests many small separate parts rather than a few gaps

反義詞
  • continuous

    describes something that goes on without a break

  • uninterrupted

    stresses that nothing stops the action or flow

  • unbroken

    often used for a line, surface, or period with no gaps

用法筆記

Often used in more formal or technical descriptions for lines, signals, movement, sleep, or any process that is broken by clear gaps. In everyday speech, many learners would choose simpler words such as 'broken' or 'intermittent' instead.

常見錯誤

❌The road was discontinuous because it was rough.
✅The road was discontinuous because one section ended and another began later.
💡'discontinuous' means there is a break or gap, not simply that the surface is uneven.