consent

[ kuhn-sent ]

verb (used without object)

1. to permit, approve, or agree; comply or yield (often followed by to or an infinitive):

   He consented to the proposal. We asked her permission, and she consented.

2. Archaic. to agree in sentiment, opinion, etc.; be in harmony.

noun

1. permission, approval, or agreement; sanction; acquiescence:

   He gave his consent to the marriage.

   Synonyms: concurrence, accord

2. agreement in sentiment, opinion, a course of action, etc.:

   By common consent he was appointed official delegate.

3. Archaic. accord; concord; harmony.

consent

/ kənˈsɛnt /

verb

1. to give assent or permission (to do something); agree; accede
2. obsolete.
   intr to be in accord; agree in opinion, feelings, etc

noun

1. acquiescence to or acceptance of something done or planned by another; permission
2. accordance or harmony in opinion; agreement (esp in the phrase with one consent )
3. age of consent
   the lowest age at which the law recognizes the right of a person to consent to sexual intercourse

Derived Forms

• conˈsenter, noun
• conˈsenting, adjective

Other Words From

• con·senter noun
• con·senting·ly adverb
• noncon·sent noun
• noncon·senting adjective noun
• precon·sent noun verb (used without object)
• recon·sent verb (used without object)
• uncon·senting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of consent¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English verb consenten, concenten, from Anglo-French, Old French consentir, from Latin consentīre “to join or share a feeling; concur”; noun derivative of the verb; consensus

Word History and Origins

Origin of consent¹

C13: from Old French consentir, from Latin consentīre to feel together, agree, from sentīre to feel

Synonym Study

See agree.

Example Sentences

Last year, France introduced legislation to block social media access for children under 15 without parental consent, though research indicates almost half of users were able to avoid the ban using a VPN.

From BBC

The hotel has balked at terms that other Las Vegas casinos consented to last year that gave workers a 32% raise over five years, said Bethany Khan, a spokesperson for the union.

From Los Angeles Times

The president-elect already has done so with some grotesque Cabinet choices, preceded by his anticonstitutional demand that senators forfeit their “advice and consent” power and instead be rubber stamps.

From Los Angeles Times

Residents are then asked to sign the paper, agreeing that they "understand the risks presented to me and I give my informed consent for entering the cordon".

From BBC

“He told me she was consenting,” he responded, staring wide-eyed at the judges, referring to Mr. Pelicot.

From New York Times

Related Words

• acquiescence
• approval
• assent
• authorization
• blessing
• compliance
• concurrence
• go ahead
• permission
• permit
• sanction
• understanding