Difference Between Consistent and Constant

The key difference between consistent and constant is that consistent means unchanging whereas constant means unceasing. In other words, consistent describes something that does not vary while constant describes something that does not stop.

Consistent and constant are two adjectives that confuse many people. Both these adjectives are used to describe people as well as things.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What Does Consistent Mean
3. What Does Constant Mean
4. Similarities Between Consistent and Constant
5. Side by Side Comparison – Consistent vs Constant in Tabular Form
6. Summary

What Does Consistent Mean?

Consistent is an adjective that basically means ‘always happening or behaving in the same way’. In other words, it describes something unchanging in nature. The Oxford dictionary defines consistent as “acting or done in the same way over time, especially so as to be fair or accurate” while Merriam Webster defines it as “marked by harmony, regularity, or steady continuity: free from variation or contradiction”.  Given below are some example sentences to illustrate the meanings of this adjective.

There has been a consistent increase in muggings in the area.

A good parent is loving and caring but also uses consistent rules.

Figure 01: He is the only player with a consistent record throughout the season.

Her grades remained consistent through the year.

There has been a consistent improvement in her condition.

What Does Constant Mean?

Constant basically means continuing without pause or letup. Merriam Webster dictionary defines constant as “continually occurring or recurring” while Oxford dictionary defines it as “occurring continuously over a period of time”. For example, we can use this adjective to describe an unceasing noise. Moreover, you can also use this adjective to describe a person. When referring to a person, constant means “dependable and unfailingly loyal”. The following examples will help you to understand these meanings better.

He remained a constant friend throughout difficult times.

The constant noise of the fan irritated him.

She went to see a doctor about her constant headaches.

Figure 02: The little girl suffered from constant headaches.

He remained her constant friend throughout their life.

His scar is a constant reminder of the accident that changed his life.

What are the Similarities Between Consistent and Constant?

• Consistent and constant are adjectives.
• Both can be used to describe people as well as things.

What is the Difference Between Consistent and Constant?

Consistent basically means always happening or behaving in the same way whereas constant means continuing without pause or letup. Thus, consistent means unchanging whereas constant means unceasing. For example, the phrase ‘consistent pain’ indicates that the intensity of the pain does not change whereas the phrase ‘constant pain’ indicates that pain occurs recurrently or it’s there at all times.

Summary – Consistent vs Constant

Although many people tend to use the two terms interchangeably, there is a distinct difference between consistent and constant. The main difference between consistent and constant is that constant means unceasing whereas consistent means unchanging.

Image Courtesy:

1.”67701″ by WikiImages (CC0) via pixabay
2.”504315″ by mintchipdesigns (CC0) via pixabay

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