Inconstant vs. Variable — What's the Difference?

Frequently changing loyalties or affections.

Capable of changing or being changed.

Lacking stability or consistency.

Likely to change; not consistent.

Unreliable due to frequent changes.

Likely to change or vary; subject to variation; changeable.

Capricious or unpredictable in behavior.

Inconstant; fickle.

Characterized by frequent changes.

(Biology) Tending to exhibit genetic variation or variation in a physical trait

Inconstant is the name of several merchant and naval ships including: The brig Inconstant, built in 1811, in which Napoleon escaped from Elba in 1815 The brig Inconstant, launched in 1811 in France, that became Swiftsure and that was wrecked c.1831. The sailing ship Inconstant, built in 1848, which played an important role in the history of Wellington, New Zealand as "Plimmer's Ark" Six ships of the British Royal Navy have been named HMS Inconstant, see HMS Inconstant.

(Mathematics) Having no fixed quantitative value.

Changing or varying, especially often and without discernible pattern or reason.

Something that varies or is prone to variation.

Fickle; faithless.

(Astronomy) A variable star.

Not constant; wavering.

A quantity capable of assuming any of a set of values.

Unfaithful to a lover.

A symbol representing such a quantity. For example, in the expression a2 + b2 = c2, a,b, and c are variables.

Not constant; not stable or uniform; subject to change of character, appearance, opinion, inclination, or purpose, etc.; not firm; unsteady; fickle; changeable; variable; - said of persons or things; as, inconstant in love or friendship.

Able to vary or be varied.

Likely to change frequently often without apparent or cogent reason; variable;

Likely to vary.

Marked by diversity or difference.

(mathematics) Having no fixed quantitative value.

(biology) Tending to deviate from a normal or recognized type.

Something that is variable.

Something whose value may be dictated or discovered.

(mathematics) A symbol representing a variable.

(programming) A named memory location in which a program can store intermediate results and from which it can read them.

(astronomy) A variable star.

(nautical) A shifting wind, or one that varies in force.

Those parts of the sea where a steady wind is not expected, especially the parts between the trade-wind belts.

Having the capacity of varying or changing; capable of alternation in any manner; changeable; as, variable winds or seasons; a variable quantity.

Liable to vary; too susceptible of change; mutable; fickle; unsteady; inconstant; as, the affections of men are variable; passions are variable.

That which is variable; that which varies, or is subject to change.

A quantity which may increase or decrease; a quantity which admits of an infinite number of values in the same expression; a variable quantity; as, in the equation x2 - y2 = R2, x and y are variables.

A shifting wind, or one that varies in force.

Something that is likely to vary; something that is subject to variation;

A quantity that can assume any of a set of values

A star that varies noticeably in brightness

A symbol (like x or y) that is used in mathematical or logical expressions to represent a variable quantity

Liable to or capable of change;

Marked by diversity or difference;

(used of a device) designed so that a property (as e.g. light) can be varied;

Subject to variation or change.

Having no fixed pattern; changeable.

An element, feature, or factor that can vary.

Variable describes something that can change or fluctuate in amount, quality, or condition.

An inconstant friend who frequently changes their plans or commitments.

Yes, inconstant can describe weather that changes frequently and unpredictably.

Variable interest rates that adjust based on economic conditions.

No, variable can be neutral or positive, indicating flexibility or adaptability.

They are similar but not identical; inconstant specifically highlights frequent changes, often in loyalty or emotions.

Yes, a person's mood can be variable, meaning it changes based on different factors.

Temperature is a common variable in scientific experiments.

Inconstant refers to frequent changes in loyalty, mood, or behavior, often implying unreliability.

In mathematics, a variable is a symbol that represents a quantity that can change.

It means the quality of the product changes and is not consistent.

Typically, no; inconstant is more often used for people or behaviors.

Yes, variable can describe both living beings and inanimate objects.

Not necessarily; it implies frequent changes but not always deliberate.

Often, yes, as it implies unpredictability and unreliability.