uninterrupted

uninterrupted — adjective

1. continuing or existing without any pause, break, or obstruction — for example, a

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

continuing or existing without any pause, break, or obstruction — for example, a film that plays for three hours without a break, a phone signal that does not drop, or a view that is not blocked by anything.

Example

After three hours of uninterrupted work, Sofia finally finished her research paper.

attributive: uninterrupted + noun (work, sleep, access)

The phone signal remained uninterrupted throughout the mountain hike.

predicative: remain uninterrupted

Common collocations
  • uninterrupted view
  • uninterrupted sleep
  • uninterrupted access
  • uninterrupted flow
  • uninterrupted service
  • uninterrupted supply
  • uninterrupted stretch
  • virtually uninterrupted
  • almost uninterrupted
Synonyms
  • continuous

    broader term; describes something that goes on without a break in time or space, but not necessarily free from disturbance

  • unbroken

    emphasises that nothing has damaged or divided the sequence; often used for records, chains, or lines

  • constant

    focuses on steady, unchanging occurrence; stronger emotional tone than 'uninterrupted'

  • seamless

    metaphorical; suggests transitions are smooth rather than highlighting absence of disturbance

Antonyms
  • interrupted

    direct opposite

  • broken

    implies the flow or sequence has been damaged or stopped

  • discontinuous

    more formal; describes something that starts and stops repeatedly

Grammar Patterns

uninterrupted + noun

be uninterrupted

remain uninterrupted

be uninterrupted by + noun phrase

Usage Note

Often used with nouns that describe a flow or state that can be broken: view, sleep, access, supply, connection, service. Also common in academic and technical writing to describe continuous processes.

Common Mistakes

I had a uninterrupted night of sleep.
I had an uninterrupted night of sleep.
'uninterrupted' starts with a vowel sound, so the article is 'an'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words describe something that continues without a gap, but they differ in emphasis. 'Continuous' is the most general and neutral term — it simply means something goes on without a break in time or space (a continuous line, continuous rain). 'Uninterrupted' focuses on the absence of external disturbance: nothing came in to stop or block the flow. 'Unbroken' stresses that nothing has damaged or divided the sequence, often used for records, chains, or surfaces (an unbroken streak of wins). 'Constant' has a stronger emotional tone, suggesting steady and unchanging occurrence that may feel relentless (constant noise, constant pressure). 'Seamless' is more metaphorical and positive — it implies that transitions or connections are so smooth you barely notice them (a seamless transition between scenes). For most everyday descriptions of a process that faces no obstacles, 'uninterrupted' is the most natural choice.

continuous ↗unbroken ↗constant ↗seamless ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • an uninterrupted stream of
  • in uninterrupted silence

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Formed from the prefix 'un-' (meaning 'not') added to 'interrupted', the past participle of 'interrupt'. The verb 'interrupt' comes from Latin 'interrumpere', meaning 'to break apart' — from 'inter' ('between') and 'rumpere' ('to break'). The word entered English through French in the 15th century, and the adjective 'uninterrupted' appeared around the early 1600s.