consensual

[ kuhn-sen-shoo-uhl ]

adjective

1. formed or existing by consent:

   a consensual lien.

2. having been actively agreed to by all parties involved:

   consensual touching

3. Physiology. (of an action) involuntarily correlative with a voluntary action, as the contraction of the iris when the eye is opened.

consensual

/ kənˈsɛnsjʊəl /

adjective

1. law (of a contract, agreement, etc) existing by consent
2. law (of a sexual activity) performed with the consent of all parties involved
3. (of certain reflex actions of a part of the body) responding to stimulation of another part

Derived Forms

• conˈsensually, adverb

Other Words From

• con·sen·su·al·ly adverb
• non·con·sen·su·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of consensual¹

First recorded in 1745–55; from Latin consēnsu-, stem of consēnsus consensus + -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of consensual¹

from consensus + -al ¹

Example Sentences

He claimed he had consensual sex with Ms Hand twice in the hotel room when Mr McGregor left the hotel.

From BBC

The court heard that Morrow met all of the women on Tinder, and then chatted to them on Snapchat where intimate images were initially shared on a consensual basis.

From BBC

The women, who cannot be identified, had two or more children non-consensually when they were teenagers, before going on to have more children consensually in later life.

From BBC

It was a kiss that Rubiales said was consensual, but Hermoso said was not.

From BBC

In a May 2023 hearing, Ali said the choking happened during consensual sex, “at her request,” according to a court transcript.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• consistent
• solid
• unified
• united
• universal