2 syllables: con, stance. Stress on con.
KAHN-stuhns
/ˈkɑnstəns/
constance is pronounced KAHN-stuhns (/ˈkɑnstəns/). It has two syllables (con-stance), with the stress on "con". Constance is a proper name and noun referring to steadfastness or a female given name. In historical usage, it signifies firmness or unwavering qualities, and as a name, it denotes a specific person or character. The term blends the idea of constancy with personification, often used in literature and naming conventions to convey reliability or steady temperament.
Constance is a proper name and noun referring to steadfastness or a female given name. In historical usage, it signifies firmness or unwavering qualities, and as a name, it denotes a specific person or character. The term blends the idea of constancy with personification, often used in literature and naming conventions to convey reliability or steady temperament.
"Her steady conduct and constance earned the trust of her teammates."
"In the novel, Constance embodies constance, never wavering under pressure."
"We named our daughter Constance to honor a family ancestor known for constance in adversity."
Constance is pronounced with stress on the first syllable: KON-stuhns (US: ˈkɒn.stəns). Start with a clear 'K' sound, then a short 'on' as in 'cot', followed by a schwa in the second syllable, and end with a clear 'nse' where the 's' is a soft, light sound. In UK English it’s similar: ˈkɒn.stən(t)s, with a slightly softer second vowel and optional light final ‘z’ sound in rapid speech. Keep jaw slightly dropped, lips relaxed, and avoid elongating the vowels.
Common mistakes include misplacing stress on the second syllable (kon-STANTCE) or pronouncing the second syllable as a full 'an-stence' rather than a reduced schwa. Some learners over-articulate the final '-ce' as a hard 's' or 'z' sound, yielding ‘CON-stants’. Correction: keep the stress on the first syllable with a clear, short 'on' and a light, unstressed second syllable: ˈkɒn.stəns. Practice by isolating syllables: KON - stən(s) and gradually blend.
US: ˈkɔn.stəns with a pronounced short o and a clear schwa in the second syllable; rhotic with a tighter ‘r’ influence only in related words. UK: ˈkɒn.stən(t)s, often a more clipped second syllable and optional t/d liaison in rapid speech. AU: ˈkɒn.stəns, similar to UK but with a slightly broader vowel and less vowel reduction in casual speech. Across accents, the first syllable vowel quality dominates, while the second syllable tends to reduce toward schwa; final consonants may be lightly released or unreleased depending on speech tempo.
It challenges because of the two short non-stressed vowels and the final sibilant sequence. The primary diphthong is not involved, but maintaining a precise short ‘o’ in the first syllable while reducing the second syllable requires controlled vowel reduction. The final -ce can cause confusion between a soft /s/ and a voiceless /z/ in rapid speech. Focus on stable first vowel, a clean schwa in the second, and a light, almost silent final -s when connected speech.
In most standard pronunciations, the final 'ce' is part of the second syllable and the 'e' is often reduced to a schwa, with the 's' being light or almost silent in fluent speech. It is not typically a separate syllable. In careful speech or in some accents, you might hear a very light 's' ending as /-ns/ or even a weak /-nsɪ/ in fast delivery.
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Constance originates from Latin constantia, meaning steadfastness or firmness. The root constant- derives from con- ‘together’ + stant- ‘standing’, indicating a state of standing firm. In Late Antiquity and the medieval period, Latin form Constantia appeared as a virtue name and later was adopted in various forms across European languages. The English usage evolved from religious and aristocratic contexts, where names like Constance were popularizing constancy as a heroic or virtuous trait. The first known English record of the name as a given name appears in the Middle Ages, often associated with saints named Constantia or with the Latin virtue concept. Over centuries, Constance also became a surname and place name in parts of Europe, further spreading in literature and culture. The modern given-name Constance remains primarily linked to the virtue of constancy, while as a noun it can denote steadfastness in character or context. The spelling and capitalization variants include Constantia, Constancia, and Constance, reflecting regional linguistic adaptations and historical usage in English, French, Spanish, and German-speaking areas.
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Words that rhyme with "constance"
-nce sounds
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