constant

B2 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ˈkɑnstənt/ UK /ˈkɒnstənt/ See IPA manual

Freq #4157

Meanings

1

adj
Happening all the time or repeatedly without stopping.

The constant noise from the street kept me awake.
2

adj
Staying the same; not changing.

The oven keeps the food at a constant temperature.
3

noun
A number or quantity that does not change.

In the equation, g is a constant equal to the acceleration of gravity.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · happening all the time or... continual continuous ceaseless incessant endless

2 adj · staying the same; not... unvarying changeless steady

More unaltering

Word family

Forms constants

Derived forms constant-velocityconstantiveconstantnessmulticonstantnonconstantthermoconstantunconstantuniconstant

Related forms constancy constantly literal

Appears in

Phrases (4)

See all

constant fear
a fear that is present all the time without relief

Adjective + noun
constant pain
pain that is continuous and unrelenting

Adjective + noun
constant pressure
continuous, unrelenting stress or force

Adjective + noun
constant worry
a persistent and unrelenting source of anxiety

Adjective + noun

Proverbs (2)

See all

Etymology

From Middle English constant, from Old French constant, from Latin constantem, accusative of constans, from cōnstāre (“to stand firm”). Displaced native Old English singal.

constant Middle English

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Describing Qualities

External links

# constant

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B2
**Part of speech:** adj, noun
**IPA (US):** /ˈkɑnstənt/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈkɒnstənt/
**Frequency rank:** 4157

## Meanings
1. Happening all the time or repeatedly without stopping.
2. Staying the same; not changing.
3. A number or quantity that does not change.

## Examples
- The constant noise from the street kept me awake.
- The oven keeps the food at a constant temperature.
- In the equation, g is a constant equal to the acceleration of gravity.

## Synonyms
- changeless
- unaltering
- unvarying

## Derived Forms
- constant-velocity
- constantive
- constantness
- multiconstant
- nonconstant
- thermoconstant
- unconstant
- uniconstant

## Related Forms
- constancy
- constantly
- literal

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: constant

## Etymology
From Middle English constant, from Old French constant, from Latin constantem, accusative of constans, from cōnstāre (“to stand firm”). Displaced native Old English singal.

## AI Etymology
constant is an adjective and noun. It is from Middle English constant, from Old French constant, from Latin constantem, accusative of constans, from cōnstāre (“to stand firm”). Displaced native Old English singal. Historical forms in the chain include constant (Middle English). Current senses include happening all the time or repeatedly without stopping, staying the same; not changing, and a number or quantity that does not change. Derived forms include constant-velocity, constantive, constantness, multiconstant, and nonconstant. Related words include constancy, constantly, and literal.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities

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