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

Through a lawyer, Alvarez denied the allegations and claimed that his interactions with Ebeling were consensual. —Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025

Martinez said the new pilot will begin with a small group of volunteers identified as medically vulnerable and emphasized that any use of the device must be consensual. —Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Nov. 2025

The most common report included non-consensual touching and penetration. —Rebecca Schneid, Time, 8 Nov. 2025

Riddle claimed their relationship was consensual, and the lawsuit was eventually dropped. —Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 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