constant
Happening all the time without stopping, or staying the same.
- The constant drip of the leaking tap kept Ellie awake all night.
- Our old dog was Leo's constant companion, following him from room to room.
Similar: continual, endless, steady
constant or incessant?
Constant can be a good thing. Incessant is almost always a complaint.
Both words mean happening all the time, which is why children swap them freely. The difference is whether you want it to stop.
Constant is neutral. A grandparent's constant support is a lovely thing to have, and a fridge keeps food at a constant temperature. Constant can also mean staying the same, which is part of why it so often sounds steady and reassuring.
Incessant is for things that go on and on when you wish they would not. The incessant chatter at the back of the coach, or incessant rain all through half term, is never praise. The word carries a sigh.
Both words, side by side
incessant
Never stopping.
- The incessant drip of the tap kept her awake all night long.
- The incessant chatter of the parakeets went on from sunrise until it grew dark.
Similar: constant, endless, nonstop
Why it costs marks
When a question asks how the writer wants you to feel, incessant is a clue that something is irritating or wearing. Reading it as a neutral word for constant misses the writer's tone.
Definitions and example sentences on this page are the ones a child sees inside Wordrealm, taken from our list of over 1,100 words. It is free to browse, with nothing to sign up for.
Sitting the 11+ in Kent, Medway or Buckinghamshire?
Plain-English guides to each test, from the councils’ own pages: Kent Test · Medway Test · Bucks Secondary Transfer Test