consent

1 of 2

verb

con·​sent kən-ˈsent 

consented; consenting; consents

intransitive verb

1

: to give assent or approval : agree

consent to being tested

She consented to our request.

2

archaic : to be in concord in opinion or sentiment

consenter noun

consentingly

kən-ˈsen-tiŋ-lē 

adverb

consent

2 of 2

noun

1

: compliance in or approval of what is done or proposed by another : acquiescence

he shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to make treaties

—U.S. Constitution

2

: agreement as to action or opinion

specifically : voluntary agreement by a people to organize a civil society and give authority to the government

Synonyms

Verb

• accede
• acquiesce
• agree
• assent
• come round
• subscribe

Noun

• allowance
• authorization
• clearance
• concurrence
• granting
• green light
• leave
• license
• licence
• permission
• sanction
• sufferance
• warrant

Choose the Right Synonym for consent

assent, consent, accede, acquiesce, agree, subscribe mean to concur with what has been proposed.

assent implies an act involving the understanding or judgment and applies to propositions or opinions.

voters assented to the proposal

consent involves the will or feelings and indicates compliance with what is requested or desired.

consented to their daughter's going

accede implies a yielding, often under pressure, of assent or consent.

officials acceded to the prisoners' demands

acquiesce implies tacit acceptance or forbearance of opposition.

acquiesced to his boss's wishes

agree sometimes implies previous difference of opinion or attempts at persuasion.

finally agreed to come along

subscribe implies not only consent or assent but hearty approval and active support.

subscribes wholeheartedly to the idea

Examples of consent in a Sentence

Verb

He was reluctant at first but finally consented.

refused to consent to the marriage

Noun

He did not give his consent for the use of his name in the advertisement.

No one may use the vehicle without the consent of the owner.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Then again, the Justices’ unease about whether children and adolescents can genuinely consent to life-altering treatments would be lacking in the case of adults. —Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 20 June 2025

With a filing in State Bar Court on Tuesday, Aaron Spolin pleaded no contest to misconduct involving eight clients, all current or former California prisoners, and consented to the stripping of his law license. —Harriet Ryan, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025

Noun

The administration made those moves without the consent or request of Newsom; the Democratic governor later sued, requesting a temporary restraining order to halt the National Guard troops from being used to enforce immigration or civil laws in the state. —Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 20 June 2025

For instance, during cross-examination, the defense had witness 'Jane' read text messages between herself and Diddy aloud, suggesting consent or friendliness — a tactic often used to undermine credibility without expert context on trauma or coercion. —Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English consenten, concenten "to be in agreement, assent (to), approve, comply, connive (in a crime)," borrowed from Anglo-French cunsentir, consentir "to grant, permit, hand over, support, give in, agree" (also continental Old French), going back to Latin consentīre "to join in feeling, be in agreement, concur in opinion, (of things) be in harmony," from con- con- + sentīre "to perceive, feel, discern" — more at sense entry 1

Noun

Middle English consent, concent "agreement, approval, connivance," borrowed from Anglo-French consent, cunsent, noun derivative of cunsentir "to grant, permit, consent entry 1"

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing consent

• age of consent
• by common consent
• by mutual consent
• common consent
• consent decree
• informed consent
• written consent

Rhymes for consent

• accent
• advent
• ascent
• assent
• augment
• cement
• dement
• descent
• detent
• dissent
• event
• extent

Kids Definition

consent

1 of 2 verb

con·​sent kən-ˈsent 

: to express willingness or approval : agree

consenter noun

consent

2 of 2 noun

: approval of what is done or suggested

Legal Definition

consent

noun

con·​sent

1

a

: compliance in or approval of what is done or proposed by another

specifically : the voluntary agreement or acquiescence by a person of age or with requisite mental capacity who is not under duress or coercion and usually who has knowledge or understanding see also age of consent, informed consent, rape, statutory rape

b

: a defense claiming that the victim consented to an alleged crime (as rape)

2

: agreement as to action or opinion

shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to make treaties

—U.S. Constitution art. II

a contract is formed by the consent of the parties

—Louisiana Civil Code

specifically : voluntary agreement by a people to organize a civil society and give authority to a government

consent intransitive verb

consenter noun