consent

[ kuhn-sent ]

verb (used without object)

1. to permit, approve, or agree; comply or yield (often followed by to or an infinitive):

   He consented to the proposal. We asked her permission, and she consented.

2. Archaic. to agree in sentiment, opinion, etc.; be in harmony.

noun

1. permission, approval, or agreement; sanction; acquiescence:

   He gave his consent to the marriage.

   Synonyms: concurrence, accord

2. agreement in sentiment, opinion, a course of action, etc.:

   By common consent he was appointed official delegate.

3. Archaic. accord; concord; harmony.

consent

/ kənˈsɛnt /

verb

1. to give assent or permission (to do something); agree; accede
2. obsolete.
   intr to be in accord; agree in opinion, feelings, etc

noun

1. acquiescence to or acceptance of something done or planned by another; permission
2. accordance or harmony in opinion; agreement (esp in the phrase with one consent )
3. age of consent
   the lowest age at which the law recognizes the right of a person to consent to sexual intercourse

Derived Forms

• conˈsenter, noun
• conˈsenting, adjective

Other Words From

• con·senter noun
• con·senting·ly adverb
• noncon·sent noun
• noncon·senting adjective noun
• precon·sent noun verb (used without object)
• recon·sent verb (used without object)
• uncon·senting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of consent¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English verb consenten, concenten, from Anglo-French, Old French consentir, from Latin consentīre “to join or share a feeling; concur”; noun derivative of the verb; consensus

Word History and Origins

Origin of consent¹

C13: from Old French consentir, from Latin consentīre to feel together, agree, from sentīre to feel

Synonym Study

See agree.

Example Sentences

California has already passed equal pay laws that do more to close salary gaps between men and women than most states and is home to the most stringent sexual consent requirements.

From Los Angeles Times

According to the bill, the ban will apply to all children under 16 and that there will be no exemptions for existing users or those with parental consent.

From BBC

“Make no mistake: This information could be relevant to the question of Mr Gaetz’s confirmation as the next attorney general of the United States, and our constitutional responsibility of advice and consent,” Durbin said.

From BBC

For Ukrainians that wait could take years, says Mykhaylo Samus, but they would never consent to abandoning Crimea or any other territory under Russian occupation.

From BBC

Turmoil at 23andMe, and a lawsuit alleging that GEDmatch shares data with Facebook, highlights how far your genetic information could travel without your consent.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• acquiescence
• approval
• assent
• authorization
• blessing
• compliance
• concurrence
• go ahead
• permission
• permit
• sanction
• understanding