'continually' originates from Latin, ultimately from the adjective 'continuus' (from the verb 'continere'), where 'con-' meant 'together' and 'tenere' (from 'tenere'/'ten-') meant 'to hold'. The English adverb was formed by adding the suffix '-ly' to the adjective.

'continually' evolved from Middle English 'continual' (borrowed from Old French 'continuel'), which in turn came from Latin 'continuus'; the modern adverbial form developed by adding the English adverbial suffix '-ly' to 'continual'.

Initially, the root meant 'held together' or 'uninterrupted'; over time the English forms have covered both senses of 'without interruption' and 'repeatedly/frequently', leading to the present nuanced uses of 'continually'.