Constant Meaning
/ˈkɒnstənt/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
adjUnchanged through time or space; permanent.
adjConsistently recurring over time; persistent.
Sentence Examples
I'm fed up with your constant complaining.
We can say that Japan was fighting a constant battle against hunger during the war.
His constant joking was beginning to annoy her.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The machine requires ____ monitoring to prevent overheating issues.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ loud noise from the nearby construction zone made it totally impossible to sleep.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English constant, from Old French constant, from Latin constantem, accusative of constans, from cōnstāre (“to stand firm”). Displaced native Old English singal.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The constant pinging of electronic devices is driving many people to the end of their tether. Electronic devices not only overload the senses and invade leisure time. They feed on themselves: the more people tweet the more they are rewarded with followers and retweets."
— 2013 November 16, Schumpeter, “The mindfulness business”, in The Economist, volume 409, number 8862:
"Both loving one fair maid, they yet remained constant friends."
— c. 1580 (date written), Philippe Sidnei [i.e., Philip Sidney], “[The Second Booke] Chapter 3”, in [Fulke Greville; Matthew Gwinne; John Florio], editors, The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia [The New Arcadia], London: […] [John Windet] for William Ponsonbie, published 1590, →OCLC, folio 162, recto:
"I am constant to my purposes."
— c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene ii]:
"His gifts, his constant courtship, nothing gained."
— 1700, [John] Dryden, “Theodore and Honoria, from Boccace”, in Fables Ancient and Modern; […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC:
"If […] you mix them, you may turn these two fluid liquors into a constant body."
— 1659 December 30 (date written), Robert Boyle, New Experiments Physico-Mechanicall, Touching the Spring of the Air, and Its Effects […], Oxford, Oxfordshire: […] H[enry] Hall, printer to the University, for Tho[mas] Robinson, published 1660, →OCLC:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The machine requires ____ monitoring to prevent overheating issues.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ loud noise from the nearby construction zone made it totally impossible to sleep.