consensual

[kuhn-sen-shoo-uhl]

adjective

1. formed or existing by consent.

   a consensual lien.

2. having been actively agreed to by all parties involved.

   consensual touching

3. Physiology.,  (of an action) involuntarily correlative with a voluntary action, as the contraction of the iris when the eye is opened.

consensual

/ kənˈsɛnsjʊəl /

adjective

1. law (of a contract, agreement, etc) existing by consent

2. law (of a sexual activity) performed with the consent of all parties involved

3. (of certain reflex actions of a part of the body) responding to stimulation of another part

Other Word Forms

• consensually adverb
• nonconsensual adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of consensual¹

First recorded in 1745–55; from Latin consēnsu-, stem of consēnsus consensus + -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of consensual¹

from _consensus + _-al ¹

Example Sentences

The accused denied the charges - he said they had a consensual relationship and the case was brought on because of a dispute over money.

From BBC

A little while later, Friend B says she saw Agnes leave the bar with one of the white men and assumed that they had come to a consensual arrangement.

From BBC

All too often, men like this get away with these attitudes because they convince enough people that, while it may be gross, it’s ultimately just decadent, consensual behavior that harms no one else.

From Salon

Depardieu, 76, has denied the charges, insisting his relationship with Arnould was consensual.

From BBC

She also discussed rumours that he had "consensual affairs".

From BBC

Related Words

• consistent 
• solid 
• unified www.thesaurus.com
• united 
• universal