consistency
Americannoun
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a degree of density, firmness, viscosity, etc..
The liquid has the consistency of cream.
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steadfast adherence to the same principles, course, form, etc..
There is consistency in his pattern of behavior.
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agreement, harmony, or compatibility, especially correspondence or uniformity among the parts of a complex thing.
consistency of colors throughout the house.
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the condition of cohering or holding together and retaining form; solidity or firmness.
noun
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agreement or accordance with facts, form, or characteristics previously shown or stated
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agreement or harmony between parts of something complex; compatibility
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degree of viscosity or firmness
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the state or quality of holding or sticking together and retaining shape
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conformity with previous attitudes, behaviour, practice, etc
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
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.
Vocabulary lists containing consistency
Declaration of the Rights of Woman (1791)
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Words to Know Before You Defrost the Bird
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Journalism
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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.
After saying he wanted to build up his confidence and consistency with his three-point shooting, Thiero missed all three of his three-point attempts and was just three for six from the free-throw line.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 7, 2026
Coaches will be making the argument - precedent has been set, now let's have consistency.
From BBC • Jul. 5, 2026
Kaweenuntawong’s grandfather created the family’s foundational broth for a simple reason: consistency of taste.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 30, 2026
The natural option, a blue-green microalgae called spirulina, proved to be too costly and thick in consistency, causing factory equipment to clog during candy production.
From Salon • Jun. 29, 2026
My father hid them until they assumed the consistency of tar, but why did he bother?
From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris
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.
