consensual

American  

[kuhn-sen-shoo-uhl] / kənˈsɛn ʃu əl /

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.

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consensual British  

/ 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

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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

Throughout the seven-week trial, Johnston denied all the charges and claimed the acts were consensual.

From BBC

Later, after a chaotic interlude of rebel rule and an uncertain transition, he was elected head of state as a post-conflict and consensual civil-society figure.

From BBC

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

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

Immigration agents said arrests in June and July often stemmed from “consensual encounters.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• consistent
• solid
• unified
• united
• universal