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.

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

Other Word Forms

• coherently adverb
• noncoherent 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

Yet Mr. Korshak’s collection does suggest a coherent history of modern fantasy illustration in the West.

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There is a longstanding, consistent and coherent prejudice at work in all its programming.

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But Mr. Waterfield advances a sound and coherent interpretation of Thucydides’ complex style and ideas.

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Coaches today agree: Individual skill levels have never been higher, but it’s come at the cost of understanding coherent teamwork, the stuff that is achieved via sacrifice and submitting to the group.

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“You now have to write with an explicit intention and give everything coherence, as if life is a series of very coherent interconnections,” Díaz says.

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Related Words

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