Constant — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ˈkän(t)-stənt/ con·stant

Meaning & Definition of Constant

Constant (adjective)

  1. continually occurring or recurring, regular
  2. invariable, uniform
  3. marked by firm steadfast resolution or faithfulness, exhibiting constancy of mind or attachment

Constant (noun)

  1. something invariable or unchanging
  2. a number that has a fixed value in a given situation or universally or that is characteristic of some substance or instrument
  3. a number that is assumed not to change value in a given mathematical discussion

Constant (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. not undergoing a change in condition

    "change is the only constant thing in the world of fashion"

    similar: changeless, stable, stationary, steady, unchanging, unvarying, on an even keel
    related: fast, fixed, hard-and-fast, immutable, inflexible, invariable, unalterable, unchangeable, established, set, settled, ceaseless, continuing, durable, enduring, lasting, permanent
    opposite: capricious, changeful, changing, fickle, fluctuating, fluid, inconstant, mercurial, skittish, uncertain, unpredictable, unsettled, unstable, unsteady, varying, volatile
    near: adaptable, alterable, changeable, flexible, mutable, variable, ephemeral, evanescent, fleeting, momentary, transient, transitory, kaleidoscopic, phantasmagoric

  2. appearing or occurring repeatedly from time to time

    "I get constant headaches during humid weather"

    similar: frequent, habitual, periodic, periodical, regular, repeated, steady
    related: continual, intermittent, recurrent, recurring, cyclic, around-the-clock, hourly, round-the-clock, 24-7, chronic, confirmed, inveterate, expected, usual
    opposite: inconstant, infrequent, irregular
    near: episodic, occasional, unexpected, unusual

  3. firm in one's allegiance to someone or something

    "constant friends during times both good and bad"

    similar: dedicated, devoted, devout, down-the-line, faithful, fast, good, loyal, pious, staunch, steadfast, steady, true, true-blue
    related: dependable, dutiful, reliable, responsible, solid, tried, tried-and-true, trustworthy, trusty, unfaltering, unhesitating, unwavering, determined, intent, resolute, confirmed, dyed-in-the-wool, inveterate, sworn, ardent, avid, enthusiastic, fervent, fervid, gung ho, impassioned, passionate, serious
    opposite: disloyal, faithless, false, fickle, inconstant, perfidious, recreant, traitorous, treacherous, unfaithful, untrue
    near: irresponsible, undependable, unreliable, untrustworthy, faltering, hesitant, vacillating, wavering, dubious, irresolute, shaky, uncertain, apathetic, dispassionate, uninterested

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Constant

The most common words with a similar meaning to Constant:

changeless, stable, stationary, steady, unchanging, unvarying, frequent, habitual, periodic, periodical, regular, repeated, dedicated, devoted, devout, down-the-line, faithful, fast, good, loyal, pious, staunch, steadfast, true, true-blue, on an even keel

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Constant

Words with the opposite meaning of Constant:

capricious, changeful, changing, fickle, fluctuating, fluid, inconstant, mercurial, skittish, uncertain, unpredictable, unsettled, unstable, unsteady, varying, volatile, infrequent, irregular, disloyal, faithless, false, perfidious, recreant, traitorous, treacherous, unfaithful, untrue

Related Words for Constant

fixed, hard-and-fast, immutable, inflexible, invariable, unalterable, unchangeable, established, set, settled, ceaseless, continuing, durable, enduring, lasting, permanent, continual, intermittent, recurrent, recurring, cyclic, around-the-clock, hourly, round-the-clock, 24-7, chronic, confirmed, inveterate, expected, usual

Near Antonyms of Constant

adaptable, alterable, changeable, flexible, mutable, variable, ephemeral, evanescent, fleeting, momentary, transient, transitory, kaleidoscopic, phantasmagoric, episodic, occasional, unexpected, unusual, irresponsible, undependable, unreliable, untrustworthy, faltering, hesitant, vacillating, wavering, dubious, irresolute, shaky, apathetic

Origin & Etymology of Constant

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin constant-, constans, from present participle of constare to stand firm, be consistent, from com- + stare to stand stand

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Constant

Words & Phrases Containing Constant

constant companion, Boltzmann constant, cosmological constant, dielectric constant, equilibrium constant, Michaelis constant, Planck's constant

Frequently Asked Questions about Constant

What does "Constant" mean?

"Constant" means continually occurring or recurring, regular. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: continually occurring or recurring, regular. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Constant"?

Other words for "Constant" include changeless, stable, stationary, steady, unchanging, unvarying, frequent and habitual. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Constant" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Constant"?

There are 82 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Constant". Common alternatives include changeless, stable, stationary, steady, unchanging, unvarying, frequent, habitual, periodic and periodical.

What is the opposite of "Constant"?

Antonyms of "Constant" include capricious, changeful, changing, fickle, fluctuating, fluid, inconstant and mercurial. Near antonyms include adaptable, alterable, changeable and flexible.

How do you use "Constant" in a sentence?

Examples of "Constant" in a sentence: "change is the only constant thing in the world of fashion"; "I get constant headaches during humid weather"; "constant friends during times both good and bad".

Is "Constant" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Constant" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Constant" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Constant" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+. It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts.

How do you pronounce "Constant"?

"Constant" is pronounced /ˈkän(t)-stənt/ and divided into syllables as con·stant.