constant

¹

[kon-stuhnt]

adjective

1. not changing or varying; uniform; regular; invariable.

   All conditions during the three experiments were constant.

   Synonyms: permanent, immutable
   Antonyms: changeable

2. continuing without pause or letup; unceasing.

   constant noise.

   Synonyms: unremitting, perpetual
   Antonyms: fitful

3. regularly recurrent; continual; persistent.

   He found it impossible to work with constant interruption.

   Synonyms: ceaseless, incessant
   Antonyms: sporadic

4. faithful; unswerving in love, devotion, etc..

   a constant lover.

   Synonyms: true, staunch, loyal
   Antonyms: unreliable

5. steadfast; firm in mind or purpose; resolute.

   Synonyms: steady

6. Obsolete.,  certain; confident.

noun

1. something that does not or cannot change or vary.

2. Physics.,  a number expressing a property, quantity, or relation that remains unchanged under specified conditions.

3. Mathematics.,  a quantity assumed to be unchanged throughout a given discussion.

Constant

²

[kawn-stahn]

noun

1. Paul Henri Benjamin Balluat Paul d'Estournelles de Constant.

2. Jean Joseph Benjamin 1845–1902, French painter.

Constant

¹

/ kɔ̃stɑ̃ /

noun

1. Benjamin (bɛ̃ʒamɛ̃). real name Henri Benjamin Constant de Rebecque. 1767–1830, French writer and politician: author of the psychological novel Adolphe (1816)

constant

²

/ ˈkɒnstənt /

adjective

1. fixed and invariable; unchanging

2. continual or continuous; incessant

   constant interruptions

3. resolute in mind, purpose, or affection; loyal

noun

1. something that is permanent or unchanging

2. a specific quantity that is always invariable

   the velocity of light is a constant

3. 1. maths a symbol representing an unspecified number that remains invariable throughout a particular series of operations

   2. physics a theoretical or experimental quantity or property that is considered invariable throughout a particular series of calculations or experiments

4. See logical constant

constant

1. A quantity that is unknown but assumed to have a fixed value in a specified mathematical context.

2. A theoretical or experimental quantity, condition, or factor that does not vary in specified circumstances. Avogadro's number and Planck's constant are examples of constants.

constant

1. A number that appears in equations and formulas and does not vary or change. Examples are Planck's constant and the speed of light.

Other Word Forms

• constantly adverb
• nonconstant noun
• overconstant adjective
• overconstantness noun
• quasi-constant adjective
• unconstant adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Constant¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin constant- (stem of constāns, present participle of constāre “to stand firm”), equivalent to con- con- + stā- stand + -nt- present participle suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of Constant¹

C14: from Old French, from Latin constāns standing firm, from constāre to be steadfast, from stāre to stand

Synonym Study

See faithful.

Example Sentences

We're in constant communication as she moves to the meeting point, the dealer messaging her his ETA on Snapchat.

From BBC

Behtiyar, in her debut feature, is spectacular, eyes fiery, her expression often inscrutable, body in constant motion as Cheng’s camera follows close behind.

From Los Angeles Times

And it’s not just cartoonists who are losing their jobs; legacy print media has become a dinosaur in the digital age, when news is presented in a constant stream, not a cycle.

From Salon

Battered by this constant deluge of information, audiences have lost their ability to appreciate not only the art of satire, but its efficacy.

From Salon

His constant demand for gratitude has garnered international attention, but it isn’t covered much inside the U.S.

From Salon

Related Words

• ceaseless 
• chronic 
• continual 
• continuous 
• endless 
• eternal 
• incessant 
• nonstop 
• perpetual 
• persistent 
• relentless 
• sustained 
• unending 
• uninterrupted 
• unrelenting 
• unremitting