coherent

[ koh-heer-uhnt, -her- ]

adjective

1. logically connected; consistent:

   a coherent argument.

2. having a natural or due agreement of parts; harmonious:

   a coherent design.

3. cohering; sticking together:

   a coherent mass of sticky candies.

4. Physics, Optics. of or relating to waves that maintain a fixed phase relationship, as in coherent light, or light in which the electromagnetic waves maintain a fixed and predictable phase relationship with each other over a period of time. laser.

coherent

/ kəʊˈhɪərənt /

adjective

1. capable of logical and consistent speech, thought, etc
2. logical; consistent and orderly
3. cohering or sticking together
4. physics (of two or more waves) having the same phase or a fixed phase difference

   coherent light

5. (of a system of units) consisting only of units the quotient or product of any two of which yield the unit of the resultant quantity

Derived Forms

• coˈherently, adverb

Other Words From

• co·her·ent·ly adverb
• non·co·her·ent adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of coherent¹

First recorded in 1570–80; from Medieval Latin cohērent-, variant of Latin cohaerent- (stem of cohaerēns ), present participle of cohaerēre; cohere, -ent

Example Sentences

He said the failure to develop a coherent immigration policy would have a devastating impact.

From The Daily Beast

The story of the fire was certainly not complete, but it was at least coherent, and three of our halftones adorned Page 1.

From The Daily Beast

Eventually, ISIS will collapse as a coherent and effective force.

From The Daily Beast

This is a thematically coherent collection of well-crafted pop songs, expertly played by accomplished musicians.

From The Daily Beast

These portentous rumblings aside, no coherent position on ectogenesis has emerged so far within the pro-life movement.

From The Daily Beast

And our surroundings at that particular moment were not the most favorable to coherent thought or plausible theory-building.

From Project Gutenberg

The frightened maid ceased to scold in her polyglot way and grew coherent.

From Project Gutenberg

She appeared to wander in her mind, for sometimes her words were coherent, at other times she merely babbled.

From Project Gutenberg

Coherent memory resumes with the noise the warriors made in returning to the camp.

From Project Gutenberg

If I can manage to be rationally coherent, I shall be more than satisfied.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• comprehensible
• consistent
• intelligible
• logical
• lucid
• meaningful
• orderly
• rational
• reasoned
• systematic