English Reference
adverb

constantly

adv.
US /ˈkɑnstəntɫi/ UK /kˈɒnstəntli/ con·stant·ly

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate

    happening all the time or very often.

    occurring continuously or with high frequency over a period of time.

    Simple

    The weather in this city is constantly changing from sun to rain.

    In context

    The software is constantly updating in the background to ensure that security vulnerabilities are patched as soon as they are discovered.

    Usage

    Often placed between the auxiliary verb and the main verb.

    Pitfall
    He is constantly to check his phone. He is constantly checking his phone.

    When using 'constantly' with the verb 'to be' to describe a habit, use the -ing form of the main verb.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

    in a way that does not change.

    in an unchangeable or invariable manner; consistently across all instances.

    Simple

    The two chemicals reacted constantly whenever they were mixed together.

    In context

    The results of the experiment remained constantly within the predicted margin of error throughout the three-year study period.

    Usage

    Commonly used in technical or academic contexts to describe stable patterns.

    variablyinconsistently

Usage constantly evolving · constantly shifting

He said: "It made me feel absolutely incredible, I couldn't stop talking about it and I was constantly busy trying to make people have the best experience possible.

BBC News· 13 Aug 2026

The reality is that thoughts emerge from living tissue that must constantly capture, transform and use energy simply to exist.

The Guardian· 9 Aug 2026

From constant + -ly. Displaced native Old English singallīċe.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated