constant
gb/kˈɑnstənt/ us/kˈɑnstənt/
B1
English
~ 2000
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
Not changing or varying
Staying the same and not changing.
Usage pattern:
[something] is constant
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'constant' with 'consistent'. 'Constant' means unchanging, while 'consistent' means acting or happening in the same way over time.
Synonyms
unchanging (Emphasizes that something stays exactly the same.)
|
steady (Suggests smoothness or stability without change.)
Antonyms
variable (Means likely to change or showing variation.)
Collocations
constant pressure
|constant temperature
|constant flow
|constant supply
|constant attention
Themes
general
|science
|mathematics
|core_vocabulary
|time
Examples
- The temperature inside the fridge remains constant.
- He lived in constant fear of losing his job.
- The speed of light is a constant value in physics.
- She kept a constant watch on her children.
- The machine requires constant maintenance.
Learner examples
- The weather is constant here.
- My phone is in constant use.
- The water flow is constant.
- He works at a constant speed.
adjective
B1
property
2
Happening all the time
Happening again and again without stopping.
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is in constant [state]
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'constant' with 'instant'. 'Instant' means happening immediately, not continuously.
Synonyms
continuous (Stresses no breaks or interruptions.)
|
persistent (Emphasizes ongoing action, sometimes annoyingly.)
Antonyms
occasional (Happening from time to time, not often.)
Collocations
constant noise
|constant calls
|constant interruptions
|constant complaints
Themes
daily life
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
|time
Examples
- She was annoyed by the constant noise from the street.
- His phone received constant calls throughout the day.
- The baby’s constant crying made it hard to sleep.
- We faced constant interruptions during the meeting.
Learner examples
- There is constant noise outside.
- He gets constant emails at work.
- I hear constant music from the next room.
Noun
technical
B2
entity
3
A value that stays the same
A number or amount that always stays the same in math or science.
Usage pattern:
[a/the] constant [value/number]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'constant' (fixed value) with 'coefficient', which multiplies a variable and can be fixed but has a different role.
Synonyms
fixed value (Plain description of something that does not vary.)
Antonyms
variable (In math/science, something that can change in value.)
Collocations
universal constant
|mathematical constant
|physical constant
Themes
mathematics
|science
|technology
|education
Examples
- Pi is a mathematical constant representing the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter.
- The speed of light in a vacuum is a universal constant.
- In this equation, 'c' is a constant.
Learner examples
- Pi is a constant in math.
- The speed of light is a constant.
- This number is a constant in the formula.
Grammar
Dictionary form
constant
IPA
GB/kˈɑnstənt/
US/kˈɑnstənt/
Syllables & stress
con - stant (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (con)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: constant
Noun
- Base: constant
- Plural: constants
Word family
Forms
constants
noun
Core family
constantly
adverb B1
Related words
constancy
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
inconstant
adjective
Expressions
in constant contact
2/ˈɪn kˈɑnstənt kˈɑntˌækt/
fixed phrase
Communicating very often
Talking or writing to each other very often.
Examples
- We stayed in constant contact while she was abroad.
- The teams are in constant contact to coordinate efforts.
constant companion
1/kˈɑnstənt kəmpˈænjən/
fixed phrase
Someone always with another person
A person or thing that is always with someone.
Examples
- Her dog was her constant companion for over a decade.
- Pain became his constant companion after the accident.
- Loneliness had been his constant companion since moving away.
- Her phone is her constant companion wherever she goes.
- During that lonely year, anxiety was his constant companion.