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consistent

/kənˈsɪstənt/  ·  say it: kuhn·SIS·tuhnt

unchanging over time; steady

In Describing & Comparing

In more detail

1. (adjective) always the same, not changing

2. (adjective) doing something regularly or in the same way each time

3. (adjective) in agreement with something else; not contradicting

Examples

• 1. She has shown consistent improvement in her English over the past year.
• 2. You need to be consistent with your study routine if you want to succeed.
• 3. His statement today is not consistent with what he said yesterday.

How to use consistent

Consistent emphasizes either reliability and repeatability (a consistent worker produces consistent results) or logical compatibility (this is consistent with your earlier statement). It differs from constant in that consistent allows for variation within a pattern, whereas constant suggests no change whatsoever. The phrase 'consistent with' is particularly common when discussing agreement or compatibility.

Common phrases

• consistent performance
• consistent with
• remain consistent
• consistent approach
• be consistent in
• consistent results

Synonyms

steady · uniform · constant · regular · coherent

Opposites

inconsistent · variable · contradictory

Word family

consistently (adverb) · consistency (noun) · inconsistent (adjective)

A common mistake

Learners often confuse 'consistent with' (meaning in agreement or compatible with) with other prepositions; note that 'consistent to' is not standard English, and 'consistent in' refers to behaving the same way repeatedly rather than logical agreement.

Nearby in Describing & Comparing

solitary, uniform, erratic, volatile, stable, fluctuating

Keep going

How to remember the words you read · Spaced repetition, explained