consistently

American  

[kuhn-sis-tuhnt-lee] / kənˈsɪs tənt li /

adverb

1. with no or very few exceptions; typically; usually.

   We hope the new system will lead to teachers and administrators who are consistently well-prepared and well-supported, and who will continue to grow throughout their careers.

2. regularly or frequently.

   The museum consistently ranks as one of the top 10 children's museums in the country.

   As a premier chamber music ensemble, they consistently perform to sold-out houses around the world.

3. in a way that adheres to the same principles, course, form, etc..

   Similarly situated employees must be treated consistently under all company policies.

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Other Word Forms

• quasi-consistently adverb

Etymology

Origin of consistently

consistent ( def. ) + -ly

Explanation

The adverb consistently describes something that's done the same way for a long time. If your mom consistently forgets to add sugar when she's baking cookies, it means you can count on inedible cookies. When something happens again and again, it happens consistently. In fact, the Latin root is consistentem, meaning "standing still." Consistently is most often used to describe something you can depend on, like consistently getting hungry right before lunch, or your dog consistently appearing by your side to cheer you up whenever you're feeling sad.

Example Sentences

The government has consistently said it would prefer "a market-based solution" and said it could not comment on ongoing negotiations.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

“One thing we’ve consistently found is that the larger the unit, the longer the customer stays,” says Lau.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

"Our findings are encouraging, suggesting that consistently engaging in a variety of mentally stimulating activities throughout life may make a difference in cognition," said Zammit.

From Science Daily • Apr. 15, 2026

Nielsen attributed NBC’s surge to the strong audience of 125 million viewers for Super Bowl LX, plus consistently high viewership during the three weeks of the 2026 Winter Olympics.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 14, 2026

The temperatures in August consistently reached over 100 degrees for days and sometimes weeks at a time.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

Related Words

• always
• constantly
• frequently
• normally
• persistently
• regularly
• routinely
• steadily
• typically