cohesive

adjective

co·​he·​sive kō-ˈhē-siv 

-ziv

: exhibiting or producing cohesion or coherence

a cohesive social unit

cohesive soils

the cohesive property of clay

cohesively adverb

cohesiveness noun

Did you know?

The Latin verb haerēre has shown remarkable stick-to-itiveness in influencing the English lexicon, which is fitting for a word that means "to be closely attached; to stick." Among its descendants are adhere (literally meaning "to stick"), adhere’s relative adhesive (a word for sticky substances), inhere (meaning "to belong by nature or habit"), and even hesitate (which implies remaining stuck in place before taking action). In Latin, haerēre teamed up with the prefix co- to form cohaerēre, which means "to stick together." Cohaerēre is the ancestor of cohesive, a word borrowed into English in the early 18th century to describe something that sticks together literally (such as dough or mud) or figuratively (such as a society or sports team).

Examples of cohesive in a Sentence

Their tribe is a small but cohesive group.

Religion can be used as a cohesive social force.

Recent Examples on the Web

Monochrome dominated the runway, creating a cohesive, almost meditative visual language. —Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 17 Feb. 2026

More butterfat means less water, which translates directly to a creamier, more cohesive texture. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 16 Feb. 2026

Layering lights can make a room look cohesive. —Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 16 Feb. 2026

In this landscape, cohesive alliances, military deterrence, and economic resilience are essential. —Thomas Wright, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin cohaesus, past participle of cohaerēre "to stick together, cohere" + -ive

First Known Use

1718, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cohesive

• adhesive

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Medical Definition

cohesive

adjective

co·​he·​sive kō-ˈhē-siv, -ziv 

: exhibiting or producing cohesion

cohesively adverb

cohesiveness noun