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inconsistent
/ˌɪn.kənˈsɪs.tənt/
not staying the same
Her workouts are inconsistent—sometimes she trains daily, other times she skips for weeks.
Her training schedule varies unpredictably, showing no regular pattern.
general
not staying the same; changing frequently or unpredictably
The data from the experiment was inconsistent due to measurement errors.
The results varied unpredictably because of mistakes in how the data was collected.
His inconsistent behavior made it hard to trust him.
His actions changed unpredictably, making reliability impossible.
Often used to describe patterns, behavior, or data that lack uniformity.
Collocations
inconsistent withnot matching or contradicting something elseinconsistent datadata that varies unpredictablyinconsistent behavioractions that change unpredictably
Pro Tip
Avoid overusing 'inconsistent'
Instead of saying 'His work is inconsistent,' specify what aspect varies: 'His work quality is inconsistent' or 'His attendance is inconsistent.'
Gold Rule
Use 'inconsistent' for patterns, not single events
Correct: 'Her sleep schedule is inconsistent.' Incorrect: 'She had an inconsistent sleep last night.' (Use 'poor' or 'restless' instead.)
Word Origin
From Latin *in-* (not) + *consistens* (standing firm), present participle of *consistere* (to stand firm). First recorded in English in the mid-17th century.
Usage Notes
Commonly used in everyday contexts to describe lack of regularity or predictability. In technical fields like statistics or science, it often refers to data or results that do not conform to expected patterns.
Word Breakdown
in-
not
prefixconsist-
standing firm together
root-ent
adjective-forming suffix
suffixEnglish Dictionary