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

An emperor or king who rules not by the consent of the governed, but by divine right.

From Salon

SAG-AFTRA has already warned that AI models are built on the backs of countless human performances, without consent or compensation — which of course is not true innovation but a kind of creative thievery.

From Los Angeles Times

Both cases underscore a fraught question: how far can a president go in deploying domestic troops without consent from local leaders?

From Salon

She said the use of the military to quell unrest without the state of Oregon consenting risks the sovereignty of that state and others.

From BBC

Many noted it was yet another instance of personal images being taken and shared without her consent.

From BBC

Related Words

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