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.
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
All around them, the Byzantine emperors saw inconstant allies and ferocious enemies.
From Textbooks ● Apr. 19, 2023
Gyllenhaal’s restraint in staying off-screen is all the more notable given that Leda, the thorny, inconstant heroine of Ferrante’s 2006 novel, is exactly the kind of character with which she typically excels as an actor.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 16, 2021
The cold, inconstant glimmer made Lyra feel uneasy.
From Slate ● Jun. 10, 2019
For perhaps ten seconds they crouched tike that while the flailing fire sent smoke and sparks and waves of inconstant tight over the top of the mountain.
From "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding
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.
