constantly
Americanadverb
-
without pausing; unceasingly.
Add the milk and cook until thick, stirring constantly.
-
regularly or frequently; consistently.
The charts have to be updated every few years as the geomagnetic field is changing constantly.
We need to be constantly vigilant if we do not want the clutter to get out of hand.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of constantly
Explanation
When something happens constantly, it never stops or changes. If you sister constantly complains that she's hungry, she is always insisting that she's starving. If your dog barks constantly when he's in the car, he doesn't stop until you reach your destination, and if you're constantly thinking about your upcoming trip to France, you can't ever get it out of your head. The adverb constantly comes from constant, or "continual," which is rooted in the Latin constantem, "standing firm, stable, steadfast, or faithful."
Vocabulary lists containing constantly
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.
Home security cameras are increasingly popular, and hackers are constantly trying to get in—sometimes, as a Wall Street Journal visual investigation shows, to aid warfighters.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 11, 2026
"You are constantly fighting and chasing your tail."
From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026
Tired of constantly being mocked for being single, she hires a basketmaker to mould her a new partner made entirely out of wicker.
From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026
I’m starting to wonder whether being financially secure means anything if I’m constantly afraid to use my own money.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 8, 2026
I stood behind Samir in the circle, which was difficult because he was constantly turning around to address everyone.
From "The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams" by Daniel Nayeri
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.
