inconstant

[ in-kon-stuhnt ]

adjective

1. not constant; changeable; fickle; variable:

   an inconstant friend.

   Synonyms: undependable, volatile, mercurial, mutable, uncertain, unsettled, unstable, vacillating, capricious, moody

   Antonyms: steady

inconstant

/ ɪnˈkɒnstənt /

adjective

1. not constant; variable
2. fickle

Derived Forms

• inˈconstancy, noun
• inˈconstantly, adverb

Other Words From

• in·constan·cy noun
• in·constant·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of inconstant¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin inconstant- (stem of inconstāns ) “changeable.” See in- ³, constant

Synonym Study

See fickle.

Example Sentences

“We have been a good offensive team at times this year, but we have been inconstant of late,” Lawson said.

From Washington Post

To Putin, it was clear that might made right - and a weak and inconstant West would huff and puff, but ultimately back down in the face of a determined will.

From BBC

The length of her reign made her "the one constant in an inconstant world", The New York Times said.

From BBC

If Elizabeth was the glue that held the whole thing together — if she was the one constant in an inconstant world — what will happen to Britain now that she is gone?

From New York Times

On Friday morning, it seemed that in a brief couple of hours we saw most of the repertoire of lunar changes memorialized in Shakespeare by Juliet’s reference to “the inconstant moon.”

From Washington Post