constant
/ˈkɒn.stənt/- 1.
Happening all the time, without stopping or pausing. If something is constant, it does not take breaks or have gaps.
- She was under constant pressure during the exam season.
- The machine produces a constant humming noise.
- His constant questions slowed down the whole class.
- 2.
Staying at the same level or in the same state; not changing in value or nature. Often used in academic or scientific writing.
- Keep the oven at a constant temperature of 180°C.
- The river's speed remained constant throughout the day.
- Her dedication to learning has stayed constant for years.
A value, quantity, or factor that does not change. Used mainly in mathematics and science.
- Pi is a mathematical constant used in geometry.
- The speed of light is a physical constant in science.
- Gravity acts as a constant force on all objects.
Adinary Nuance
Constant is easy to confuse with consistent, continuous, and steady — all near-neighbors in academic writing. "Constant" stresses that something literally never stops or never changes value. "Continuous" highlights the absence of any gap or interruption, so it's stronger on the idea of no breaks (e.g. "a continuous stream of data"). "Consistent" focuses on a reliable pattern across time — something can be consistent even if it stops and starts, as long as it behaves the same way each time. "Steady" adds a sense of smooth, controlled progression — you'd say "steady growth" or "steady hands," not "constant growth." For IELTS writing, "constant" and "consistent" are the two most commonly swapped; use "constant" when you mean always present, and "consistent" when you mean reliably the same pattern.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- Liên tục / không đổi
- Spanish
- constante
- Chinese
- 持续的／不变的
- Japanese
- 絶え間ない／一定の
- Korean
- 지속적인／일정한
Etymology
From Latin "constans," meaning "standing firm," derived from "com-" (together) and "stare" (to stand). The word entered Middle English in the late 14th century through Old French, first describing loyal or steadfast people before broadening to describe anything unchanging.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between 'constant' and 'consistent'?
- 'Constant' means something is happening all the time without stopping. 'Consistent' means something follows the same reliable pattern across different occasions, even if it pauses. For example: 'constant noise' = never stops; 'consistent results' = always similar, not always present.
- Is 'constant' formal enough to use in IELTS writing?
- Yes, 'constant' is a standard academic word and is perfectly appropriate for IELTS Writing Task 1 and Task 2. It appears frequently in academic texts when describing unchanging rates, values, or ongoing conditions.
- Can 'constant' be used as a noun?
- Yes. As a noun, 'constant' refers to a fixed value that does not change — most commonly in mathematics and science. For example: 'Pi is a mathematical constant.' This usage is common in academic and technical writing.
- What is the difference between 'constant' and 'continuous'?
- 'Continuous' emphasises that there are no gaps or breaks — it is one unbroken stream. 'Constant' emphasises that something does not change its level or does not stop. You can say 'constant pain' (always there) or 'continuous stream' (no interruptions). In many sentences they overlap, but 'continuous' is slightly stronger on the idea of zero gaps.