What does continently mean?
'Continently' is a formal English adverb meaning 'with continence' — that is, with self-restraint over one's appetites, most especially sexual desire. It derives from the adjective 'continent' in its moral sense, which traces back through Latin 'continens' ('restraining, holding together') to the verb 'continere' ('to hold together'). To live continently is to govern one's impulses deliberately rather than indulging them; the word therefore carries connotations of discipline, virtue, and often religious or ascetic devotion. In contemporary usage it is uncommon and markedly literary, surviving mainly in historical, theological, or medical contexts — for instance, descriptions of monastic life or Victorian moral writing. Its natural opposite is 'incontinently', which means lacking such restraint. Readers who meet 'continently' today are usually looking at a text that values measured, deliberate conduct, and the word lends that text a tone of old-fashioned moral seriousness.
adverbIn a continent manner; with self-restraint or moderation, especially in the control of bodily appetites and desires. It is the adverbial form of 'continent' as an adjective describing restrained behaviour.
- With temperance or self-restraint, especially regarding sexual desire or bodily appetites.
- (By extension) moderately, soberly, or with general moderation of conduct.
"Though surrounded by temptation at every turn, he lived continently throughout his years abroad."
"He resolved to live continently until his marriage."
"The ascetic monks ate sparingly and conducted themselves continently in all things."
The word for a landmass and the word for sexual self-restraint come from the very same Latin verb — 'continent' originally just meant 'holding oneself together.'
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of continently
'Continently' comes from the adjective 'continent' plus the adverbial suffix '-ly'. The adjective descends from Latin 'continens', the present participle of 'continere' ('to hold together, contain, restrain'), which entered English via Old French around the late Middle Ages in both its physical sense ('self-contained') and its moral sense ('able to restrain one's appetites'). The same Latin verb also gave English 'contain', 'continue', and 'content', making 'continently' a member of a large family of words built on the idea of holding or keeping together.
Related word forms
How continently is actually used
'Continently' is rare and distinctly formal or literary in modern English, appearing mostly in older religious, moral, or medical writing. It is far less common than its adjective base 'continent' or the noun 'continence', and many readers will encounter it only in historical texts.
Easily confused with continently
Despite sharing a root, 'incontinently' means the opposite — without restraint, immediately or impulsively — whereas 'continently' means with self-control.
'Continent' is most often a noun for one of Earth's large landmasses; only in its adjective sense ('able to restrain oneself') does it relate to 'continently'.