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

"We use copper and tin and one more ingredient which is secret. Even though it's in very small quantities, it gives the cymbal a different character in terms of consistency and sound," he told AFP.

From Barron's ● Aug. 6, 2026

To ensure consistency in the finished product, machines need to be tweaked and adjusted to account for the small variations.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026

"The difference between anything that's made by hand, and that which is made on a machine, is the consistency of it," he said.

From BBC ● Aug. 1, 2026

Specifically, the study evaluated the consistency and fairness of the recommendations tied to household financial planning, emergency savings, retirement withdrawal rates and investment portfolio allocation.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 24, 2026

His left eye was going blind and was covered by a film the color and consistency of diluted milk.

From "Purple Hibiscus" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

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

This results in an interesting, appealing juxtaposition of tastes, consistencies and temperatures.

From Salon ● Feb. 4, 2023

Trevor Lawrence’s connection with Christian Kirk is one of the few consistencies seen from Jacksonville.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 5, 2022

Why the white of egg is of two consistencies.

From Zoonomia, Vol. I Or, the Laws of Organic Life by Darwin, Erasmus

Related Words

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