consensual
Americanadjective
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formed or existing by consent.
a consensual lien.
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having been actively agreed to by all parties involved.
consensual touching
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Physiology. (of an action) involuntarily correlative with a voluntary action, as the contraction of the iris when the eye is opened.
adjective
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law (of a contract, agreement, etc) existing by consent
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law (of a sexual activity) performed with the consent of all parties involved
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(of certain reflex actions of a part of the body) responding to stimulation of another part
Other Word Forms
- consensually adverb
- nonconsensual adjective
Etymology
Origin of consensual
First recorded in 1745–55; from Latin consēnsu-, stem of consēnsus consensus + -al 1
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.
Through his attorney, Jarecki denied the allegations, characterizing the relationship as consensual.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 1, 2026
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 • Sep. 12, 2025
Prosecutors had alleged he pressured Hermoso into publicly saying the kiss was consensual, which Rubiales denied.
From BBC • Jun. 25, 2025
What happened was legal in the UK and consensual.
From BBC • Jun. 9, 2025
Given the blanket nature of the ruling, courts have found police encounters to be consensual in truly preposterous situations.
From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander
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.
