consistent
Americanadjective
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agreeing or accordant; compatible; not self-contradictory.
His views and actions are consistent.
- Synonyms:
- conformable, harmonious, consonant, congruous
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constantly adhering to the same principles, course, form, etc..
a consistent opponent.
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holding firmly together; cohering.
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Archaic. fixed; firm.
adjective
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showing consistency; not self-contradictory
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in agreement or harmony; accordant
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steady; even
consistent growth
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maths (of two or more equations) satisfied by at least one common set of values of the variables
x + y = 4 and x – y = 2 are consistent
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logic
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(of a set of statements) capable of all being true at the same time or under the same interpretation
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Also: sound. (of a formal system) not permitting the deduction of a contradiction from the axioms Compare complete
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obsolete stuck together; cohering
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of consistent
First recorded in 1565–75, consistent is from the Latin word consistent- (stem of consistēns, present participle of consistere ); see consist, -ent
Explanation
If you get the same Donkey Kong score every time you play, you're consistent. It's consistent with video-game addiction, however, that you will continue to play in the hopes of beating that score. Consistent is related to the word consist, which refers to what something is made of—"bread dough consists of flour, water, and salt." Consistency describes texture—a consistent consistency would be brownies as rock-hard in the center as they are at the edge––hopefully, next time you bake you'll get inconsistent results.
Vocabulary lists containing consistent
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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The SAT: Language of the Test, List 3
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The Language of Standardized Tests, List 2
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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.
I’ve never even met her, but I feel like she’s so genuine and real and she’s always stayed consistent with who she is.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 10, 2026
"The Pacific upset is consistent with defending the Ocean of Peace principles," Naupa said, referring to a declaration made by leaders last year that the region stay free of nuclear weapons testing.
From Barron's • Jul. 10, 2026
The central bank said its current monetary policy stance is appropriate and consistent with price stability and sustainable economic growth.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 9, 2026
“Without consistent gains in inventory, home prices can accelerate,” he said in a press release.
From MarketWatch • Jul. 9, 2026
The soil destined to support the northern half of the building showed total settlement of less than one inch, consistent with the rest of the park.
From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson
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.
