consistently
Americanadverb
-
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.
-
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.
-
in a way that adheres to the same principles, course, form, etc..
Similarly situated employees must be treated consistently under all company policies.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of consistently
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.
Vocabulary lists containing consistently
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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.
Last winter saw hundreds of thousands in Ukraine consistently without heat and electricity in freezing temperatures.
From Barron's ● Oct. 17, 2026
He was consistently playing at less than 100%, missing time and never really finding a groove.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026
She is consistently ranked as one of the most bipartisan senators and has often broken with Mr. Trump.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
The prime minister said the digital news provider should be lauded for consistently championing "democracy, human rights" and the UK's role on the world stage since it was launched in 1986.
From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026
In the fields she wore a straw hat low on her head, a thing she had not done consistently in her youth, so that now around her eyes there were squint lines.
From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
