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. the lowest age at which the law recognizes the right of a person to consent to sexual intercourse

Other Word Forms

• consenter noun
• consentingly adverb
• nonconsent noun
• nonconsenting adjective
• preconsent noun
• reconsent verb (used without object)
• unconsenting adjective
• consenting 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

Advocates for survivors called the distinction harmful, noting that Epstein’s decades-long pattern of coercion and trafficking involved minors who were legally incapable of consent, regardless of age.

Read more on Salon

One planned change could unite many Europeans in relief however: the EU wants to get rid of those pesky cookie banners seeking users' consent for tracking on websites.

Read more on Barron's

Judges can also now be transferred to different courts without their consent.

Read more on BBC

McElroy told the detective he believed they were two consenting adults, the police report said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Your brother was not legally allowed to keep this money for himself without her consent.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

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