constant
KON-stunt
/ˈkɒnstənt/
Occurring continuously over a period of time; remaining the same.
Can mean 'never stopping' or 'loyal and steadfast' in a personal sense.
The story behind the word. From Latin 'constare', meaning 'to stand together' or 'to stand firm'. It suggests something that doesn't move or waver even when pushed.
Word relationships
- incessant: Incessant usually has a negative connotation (annoying), while constant is neutral.
- variable: Variable means changing; constant means staying the same.
Commonly confused with
- continual: Continual means starting and stopping frequently; constant means never stopping.
Word family
- constancy (noun): The quality of being faithful and dependable.
- constantly (adverb): All the time; repeatedly.
Collocations
- constant pressure
- constant reminder
- constant companion
Example sentences
- "Constant dripping wears away the stone." A famous proverb about persistence.
Memory hook
Think of a 'constant' in math—it's the number that never changes no matter what the variables do. Standing firm, never changing.
When not to use
Don't use it for something that happens frequently but with breaks; 'frequent' is better there.
Fun facts
- In physics, the speed of light is a 'universal constant', meaning it is the same everywhere in the universe.
Explore more words
continual, continually, perpetual, steady, incessant, continuously
Also appears in
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