consensual

adjective

con·​sen·​su·​al kən-ˈsen(t)-sh(ə-)wəl 

-shəl,

-shü-əl

1

: existing or made by mutual consent without an act of writing

a consensual contract

2

: involving or based on mutual consent

consensual acts

consensually adverb

Examples of consensual in a Sentence

She claims their relationship was consensual.

Recent Examples on the Web

These are the same individuals, former long-term girlfriends, who were involved in consensual relationships. —Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 29 Apr. 2025

Some of the victims were allegedly forced to say, on camera, that their encounters were consensual. —Ben Brachfeld, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025

The pair’s relationship in the Sacramento area was consensual, and the victim did allow Campos to take nude photos of her in 2004 and earlier. —Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 24 Apr. 2025

But an unidentified friend of hers had contradicted that account in an interview with a detective, saying Evans called it a consensual act in exchange for the promise of acting work. —Isabella Gomez Sarmiento, NPR, 20 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin consensuālis, from Latin consensu-, stem of consensus "agreement, consensus" + -ālis -al entry 1

First Known Use

1689, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

consensual

adjective

con·​sen·​su·​al kən-ˈsench-(ə-)wəl 

-ˈsen-shəl

: involving, made by, or based on shared agreement

a consensual contract

Medical Definition

consensual

adjective

con·​sen·​su·​al kən-ˈsench-(ə-)wəl, -ˈsen-chəl 

1

: existing or made by mutual consent

consensual sexual behavior

2

: relating to or being the constrictive pupillary response of an eye that is covered when the other eye is exposed to light

consensually

-ē 

adverb

Legal Definition

consensual

adjective

con·​sen·​su·​al kən-ˈsen-chə-wəl 

1

: existing or made by mutual consent without any further act (as a writing)

2

: involving or based on mutual consent

consensual sexual intercourse