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Synonyms

consistency

American  
[kuhn-sis-tuhn-see] / kənˈsɪs tən si /
Also consistence

noun

plural

consistencies

  1. a degree of density, firmness, viscosity, etc..

    The liquid has the consistency of cream.

  2. steadfast adherence to the same principles, course, form, etc..

    There is consistency in his pattern of behavior.

  3. agreement, harmony, or compatibility, especially correspondence or uniformity among the parts of a complex thing.

    consistency of colors throughout the house.

  4. the condition of cohering or holding together and retaining form; solidity or firmness.

consistency British  
/ kənˈsɪstənsɪ /

noun

  1. agreement or accordance with facts, form, or characteristics previously shown or stated

  2. agreement or harmony between parts of something complex; compatibility

  3. degree of viscosity or firmness

  4. the state or quality of holding or sticking together and retaining shape

  5. conformity with previous attitudes, behaviour, practice, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of consistency

First recorded in 1585–95; consist(ent) + -ency

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.

Your upbringing taught you a lot about life, and you learned the value of hard work and patience and stamina and consistency by buying and selling homes and building a $6 million nest egg.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

Chief executive officer Miguel Angel Gil emphasised the need for consistency.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

When it comes to weight loss, consistency in eating habits may matter more than dietary variety.

From Science Daily • Mar. 30, 2026

High-quality twos, on the other hand, can help a team maintain the consistency needed to string together six straight wins and claim the national championship.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

By the time the next competition season began in January 2012, I felt much stronger physically than I had the previous year, and my consistency was better.

From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles

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.