consistency

American  

[kuhn-sis-tuhn-see] / kənˈsɪs tən si /

Also consistence

noun

• consistencies
  plural

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.

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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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• consistencies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of consistency

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

Explanation

Foods like puddings and gravies need to be the correct consistency — that is, the right thickness or texture — for the dish. It would not be good, for example, for gravy to have the consistency of cottage cheese. The noun consistency also refers to uniformity or compatibility between things or parts. For example, you might need to check the consistency of spelling in a document or the consistency among eye-witness accounts of a crime. Consistency usually implies a positive sense of dependability. If you show consistency at the work place, your manager can depend on you.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

consistency consistencies

However, he said the consistency of the changes across a large population warrants attention.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 15, 2026

Notice first that there is no consistency in midcap relative strength.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 11, 2026

Young people are still in the process of building those muscles, and repetition and consistency are key to baking these habits into our busy lives.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026

Brian Galle, a nonprofit law professor at UC Berkeley, said that while long-serving board members can bring institutional knowledge and consistency, the concern is that they lose their independence from management over time.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026

The water turned the consistency of shaved ice in blue sticky syrup.

From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan

But there are several consistencies across the state.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 18, 2024

Mr Hedges is in favour of three members being elected in each of the 32 Westminster consistencies.

From BBC ● Jan. 30, 2024

The UF study demonstrates a need to build more consistencies among the varied experiments used to understand differences between those who speak one language and those who speak more than one.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 21, 2023

Although there were some consistencies, each meeting “has its own little flair or difference in things they are talking about.”

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 28, 2023

The book, however, critically viewed, is touchingly full of these disguised and repaired losses, these insidious recoveries, these intensely redemptive consistencies.

From The Ambassadors by Henry James

Related Words

• coherence
• cohesion
• compatibility
• fitness
• harmony
• stability
• steadiness
• uniformity
• unity