inconstant
Americanadjective
adjective
-
not constant; variable
-
fickle
Synonym Usage
See fickle.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of inconstant
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin inconstant- (stem of inconstāns ) “changeable.” See in- 3, constant
Explanation
Anything that's inconstant changes all the time. Don’t give your heart to an inconstant friend because she might get distracted and drop it. The moon is inconstant, with all that waxing and waning, but we love it anyway. You can't exactly count on things — or people — that are inconstant, since they vary or waver so much. Someone who's inconstant is fickle or even undependable. An inconstant friend might promise to come to your party and then fail to show up because she suddenly felt like going bowling instead. When the weather is inconstant, you don’t know what to wear. The Latin root is inconstantem, "changeable or capricious."
Vocabulary lists containing inconstant
"The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet," Vocabulary from Act 4
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
A Game of Thrones
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Changeable
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“O, swear not by the moon, th’ inconstant moon / That monthly changes in her circle orb / Lest that thy love prove likewise variable,” Juliet warned Romeo.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 2026
I imagine that younger fans ardently connect Glinda and Elphaba's inconstant relationship to the ups and downs of their own.
From Salon • Dec. 2, 2024
And it’s worth noting that the War Room team has an inconstant relationship with Trump’s inner circle.
From Slate • Nov. 25, 2024
All around them, the Byzantine emperors saw inconstant allies and ferocious enemies.
From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023
The light from the Aurora was brighter than moonlight, but it was inconstant.
From "The Golden Compass" by Philip Pullman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
