Jump To:

• constant
  constant

  adjective

  not changing or varying; uniform; regular; invariable.
• Constant
  Constant

  noun

  Paul Henri Benjamin Balluat Paul d'Estournelles de Constant.

constant

¹ American  

[kon-stuhnt] / ˈkɒn stənt /

adjective

1. not changing or varying; uniform; regular; invariable.

   All conditions during the three experiments were constant.

   Synonyms:

   permanent, immutable

   Antonyms:

   changeable

2. continuing without pause or letup; unceasing.

   constant noise.

   Synonyms:

   unremitting, perpetual

   Antonyms:

   fitful

3. regularly recurrent; continual; persistent.

   He found it impossible to work with constant interruption.

   Synonyms:

   ceaseless, incessant

   Antonyms:

   sporadic

4. faithful; unswerving in love, devotion, etc..

   a constant lover.

   Synonyms:

   true, staunch, loyal

   Antonyms:

   unreliable

5. steadfast; firm in mind or purpose; resolute.

   Synonyms:

   steady

6. Obsolete. certain; confident.

---

noun

• constants
  plural

1. something that does not or cannot change or vary.

2. Physics. a number expressing a property, quantity, or relation that remains unchanged under specified conditions.

3. Mathematics. a quantity assumed to be unchanged throughout a given discussion.

Constant ² American  

[kawn-stahn] / kɔ̃ˈstɑ̃ /

noun

1. Paul Henri Benjamin Balluat Paul d'Estournelles de Constant.

2. Jean Joseph Benjamin 1845–1902, French painter.

---

Constant ¹ British  

/ kɔ̃stɑ̃ /

noun

1. Benjamin (bɛ̃ʒamɛ̃). real name Henri Benjamin Constant de Rebecque. 1767–1830, French writer and politician: author of the psychological novel Adolphe (1816)

---

constant ² British  

/ ˈkɒnstənt /

adjective

1. fixed and invariable; unchanging

2. continual or continuous; incessant

   constant interruptions

3. resolute in mind, purpose, or affection; loyal

---

noun

1. something that is permanent or unchanging

2. a specific quantity that is always invariable

   the velocity of light is a constant

3. 1. maths a symbol representing an unspecified number that remains invariable throughout a particular series of operations

   2. physics a theoretical or experimental quantity or property that is considered invariable throughout a particular series of calculations or experiments

4. See logical constant

constant Scientific  

/ kŏn′stənt /

1. A quantity that is unknown but assumed to have a fixed value in a specified mathematical context.

2. A theoretical or experimental quantity, condition, or factor that does not vary in specified circumstances. Avogadro's number and Planck's constant are examples of constants.

---

constant Cultural  

1. A number that appears in equations and formulas and does not vary or change. Examples are Planck's constant and the speed of light.

---

Synonym Usage

See faithful.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonconstant
  noun
• overconstantness
  noun
• overconstant
  adjective
• quasi-constant
  adjective
• unconstant
  adjective
• constantly
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• constants
  plural

Etymology

Origin of constant

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin constant- (stem of constāns, present participle of constāre “to stand firm”), equivalent to con- con- + stā- stand + -nt- present participle suffix

Explanation

Think of something or someone that does not change as constant. A classmate's constant drumming on the table with his fingers could be a constant source of annoyance. Constant derives from Latin verb meaning "to stand with," so something constant is continually standing with you and not wavering. You may be thankful for the constant companionship of your dog but not necessarily for your teacher's constant homework assignments. In math and science, a constant is a number that is fixed and known, unlike a variable which changes with the context. That idea crosses over to real life. If a friend is a constant in your life, that means they have always been with you and there for you.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

constant Constant constants

Unified is the state’s largest and the nation’s second-largest school system — and therefore a constant center of attention.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026

Since the June primary, Hilton has been a constant presence on the campaign trail, crisscrossing the state, holding town halls and news conferences, making speeches and giving media interviews.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026

People need their medicines and treatments no matter what the economy or the AI build-out is doing, so demand and cash flows remain relatively constant even when the economy slows down.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2026

While he accepts that platforms like TikTok help artists who might not have a "fighting chance in the industry", he says the constant stream of content can sometimes feel like "fast food" music.

From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026

By day the park was busy, the network of playgrounds in constant use and usually with someone out on the baseball field.

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny

Constant queues of visitors wanted to see the latest advances in the robotics field.

From BBC ● Jun. 17, 2026

Constant stretching and compression of a moon can create recurring wet dry cycles where water repeatedly evaporates and condenses.

From Science Daily ● May 29, 2026

Constant improvements in semiconductor technology could see other new classes of chips rise up and take their place, OneChronos CEO Kelly Littlepage said in comments shared with MarketWatch.

From MarketWatch ● May 12, 2026

Social media has created the conditions for this “doomer mindset” to flourish: Constant exposure to information, algorithm-driven echo chambers, and excessive screen time distort perception and isolate teens, making it harder to discern what’s true.

From Slate ● May 12, 2026

They sail away in the Susan Constant and the Godspeed and leave the Discovery and the shallop for us to use for travel here in Virginia.

From "Blood on the River" by Elisa Carbone

Phone-induced distractedness, flusteredness, and agitation had been constants in life before prison.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026

Scientists could observe the optical effects, but they had not directly measured the material's full optical constants.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 1, 2026

Spurs' 5-3-2 shape lacks coverage in the wide areas with the wing-backs the only constants here.

From BBC ● Mar. 12, 2026

The only constants are her signature hat toss and those solo lakeside walks, part of a montage illustrating her perpetual forward movement.

From Salon ● Jan. 31, 2026

Through most of his moves, Door had been one of the few constants in his life.

From "Boy 2.0" by Tracey Baptiste

Related Words

• ceaseless
• chronic
• continual
• continuous
• endless
• eternal
• incessant
• nonstop
• perpetual
• persistent
• relentless
• sustained
• unending
• uninterrupted
• unrelenting
• unremitting