constantly
KONS-tuhnt-lee
Constantly (adv) means happening all the time or very often; without stopping. Example: “The phone rang constantly all afternoon.”
adv
1
Happening all the time or very often; without stopping.
"The phone rang constantly all afternoon."
"She was constantly checking her messages during the meeting."
"My little brother constantly asks questions about how things work."
How to use constantly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAll the time, again and again, without a break.
Common pairings
constantly changing
constantly complaining
almost constantly
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more constantly
- Superlative
- most constantly
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The phone rang _____ all afternoon.
Etymology
From constant + the adverb-forming suffix -ly.
Synonyms
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continually
always
repeatedly
perpetually
non-stop
all the time
forever
incessantly
nonstop
invariably
uniformly
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for constantly
instantly
elegantly
valiantly
blatantly
distantly
abundantly
pleasantly
importantly
reluctantly
incessantly
brilliantly
triumphantly
See all rhymes for constantly →
Frequently asked questions
What does “constantly” mean?
The word “constantly” means happening all the time or very often; without stopping. In plain terms, all the time, again and again, without a break.
How do you pronounce “constantly”?
“Constantly” is pronounced KONS-tuhnt-lee (/ˈkɑnstənʔli/ in IPA).
How do you use “constantly” in a sentence?
Here is “constantly” used in a sentence: “The phone rang constantly all afternoon.”
What is another word for “constantly”?
Words with a similar meaning to “constantly” include incessantly, nonstop, invariably and uniformly.
What part of speech is “constantly”?
“Constantly” is an adverb.
Is “constantly” a common word?
“Constantly” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between 'constantly' and 'continuously'?
'Continuously' means without any break — a continuous sound never stops. 'Constantly' usually means very often or again and again, even if there are small gaps. A machine that hums continuously never falls silent; someone who constantly checks their phone does it repeatedly, not literally without pausing. The two are easy to confuse.
Does 'constantly' have a negative tone?
It often does, though not always. Because it stresses that something happens again and again without let-up, 'constantly' frequently describes annoyances — 'constantly complaining,' 'constantly interrupting.' It can be neutral or positive too, as in 'constantly improving,' but the sense of relentless repetition often carries a hint of impatience.
What is the difference between 'constantly' and 'frequently'?
It is a matter of degree. 'Frequently' means often, with clear gaps between occasions. 'Constantly' is stronger, suggesting something happens all the time or almost without stopping. A shop you visit frequently, you go to regularly; a child who is constantly hungry seems hungry nearly every waking moment.
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