adjective
-
characterized by or causing cohesion
-
tending to cohere or stick together
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of cohesive
First recorded in 1720–30; cohes(ion) + -ive
Explanation
When the parts of the whole work or fit together well, they are cohesive, like a cohesive family whose members pitch in with everything from making dinner to painting the house. The adjective cohesive comes from the Latin word cohaerere, or “to cleave together.” Cohesive things stick together, so they are unified. A cohesive neighborhood's members get together to plan things like block parties, and they work together to solve problems. A cohesive fitness plan would include menus and exercise routines designed to lose weight, build muscle, and so on.
Vocabulary lists containing cohesive
Keystone Exams: English Composition Glossary
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Florida EOC Biology 1
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Content Summary G.2: Regionalization
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It was a masterstroke, with Gravenberch outstanding as he provided the platform for a more organised Liverpool, not as exciting as under Klopp but cohesive, organised winners.
From BBC • May 30, 2026
Describing her style as “Moroccan and rustic with a bit of modern elegance,” she told People, “I love to mix and match various styles to form one cohesive look in my home.”
From MarketWatch • May 28, 2026
Defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo, who has represented Sean “Diddy” Combs, Luigi Mangione and Harvey Weinstein, said that he usually seeks cohesive juries that might be receptive to his narrative.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026
Simmered together until rich and cohesive, the final chili lands somewhere between classic beef chili and taqueria-style comfort food: smoky, deeply savory and thick enough to scoop with more corn chips.
From Salon • May 19, 2026
In his spare time Bloom had organized the ushers, checkers, and refreshment sellers into a more efficient, cohesive structure that greatly increased the theater’s profits and his own salary.
From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
