WordGarden.ioconsistent
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /kənsˈɪstənt/
US
- /kənˈsɪstənt/
Meanings
Adjective
not changing much in quality, behavior, or results over time
agreeing with something else and not conflicting with it
satisfying formal consistency conditions in logic, mathematics, or statistics
Beyond the definition
Imagine a dripping faucet. If it's consistent, the drops fall at the same rate—drip…drip…drip. It means something happens regularly, without changing much. A consistent friend is someone you can always count on. A consistent effort in your studies will likely lead to good grades. Sometimes consistency isn't about sameness, but about sticking to a pattern or principle. A chef might consistently use fresh ingredients, even if the dishes vary.
Think of it like building with blocks—each block placed carefully and predictably creates a stable structure. If something lacks consistency, it's unpredictable and unreliable!
To be consistent means to behave or occur in the same way over time, especially in a way that is fair or accurate. It implies a pattern of behavior, action, or characteristic that doesn't deviate significantly. For example: "Her work ethic was consistently high," meaning she always put in a strong effort.
Consistency isn't just about doing the same thing repeatedly; it also refers to being logically coherent and free from contradictions. A consistent argument is one where all the points support each other without internal conflict. You might say, "His story lacked consistency because he kept changing details."
The word can apply to many areas of life: a consistent diet (eating similar foods regularly), a consistent routine (following the same schedule), or even a consistent personality (having predictable traits). In science and mathematics, consistency is crucial for accuracy and reliability.
However, consistent doesn't necessarily mean boring. A musician might consistently explore new sounds within their established style. It simply means they maintain a core identity while still evolving.
So whether you're describing someone's character, the quality of work, or the logic of an argument, consistency speaks to reliability, predictability, and adherence to a standard—a steady rhythm in a world often full of change.
Examples
- 1
Sports performance
She's a consistent player who rarely has a bad game.
- 2
Family routine
We need a consistent bedtime routine for the kids.
- 3
Product quality
The new machine produces more consistent results.
- 4
Rule enforcement
Try to be consistent in how you enforce the rules.
- Patternconsistent in + area
behaving the same way in that area
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Reports
His story wasn't consistent with the earlier report.
- Patternconsistent with + information
matching it and not conflicting with it
- 6
Customer service
The company has been consistent about replying to customer emails within a day.
- Patternconsistent about + activity
doing it regularly and in the same way
- 7
Study habits
I don't need you to study for hours; I just need you to be consistent.
- 8
Visual design
The designer kept the colors and fonts consistent across the whole website.
- Patternkeep + thing consistent across + place/system
make it stay similar in every part
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- consistent results
- consistent performance
- remain consistent
Word family
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Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- consistentadjective