Definition of consistent
1 archaic : possessing firmness or coherence
2a : marked by harmony, regularity, or steady continuity : free from variation or contradiction a consistent style in paintingb : marked by agreement : compatible —usually used with with statements not consistent with the truthc : showing steady conformity to character, profession, belief, or custom a consistent patriot
3 : tending to be arbitrarily close to the true value of the parameter estimated as the sample becomes large a consistent statistical estimator
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Examples of consistent in a Sentence
… the sixty-five-year-old filmmaker continues to practice his craft with consistent artistic aplomb. —Peter Travers, Rolling Stone, 30 Aug. 2001
I am not consistent about giving vibrancy and other kinds of input to a relationship. … There are periods when I am the most attentive and thoughtful lover in the world, and periods, too, when I am just unavailable. —Toni Cade Bambara, “A Conversation with Claudia Tate,” in The Story and Its Writer, edited by Ann Charters, 1987
One of the strengths of Blake's letters is their consistent readability … —William Styron, This Quiet Dust and Other Writings, (l953) 1982
The rhythm of the gesture never varied. The paper flew in identically the same arc at each doorway, landed in identically the same spot. It was impossible for anybody to throw with such consistent perfection. —Madeleine L'Engle, A Wrinkle in Time, (1962) 1976
He is a consistent supporter of the museum.
We need to be more consistent in handling this problem.
Customers expect that the quality of service they receive will be consistent.
The pain has been consistent.
Your grades have shown consistent improvement this school year.
Their descriptions of the accident were consistent.
The decision was consistent with the company's policy.
Recent Examples of consistent from the Web
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That's the ultimate goal heading into this year is just to be more consistent.
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In March, the U.S. Supreme Court vacated a case about whether schools have to let transgender students use bathrooms and locker rooms that are consistent with their gender identity.
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Outside linebacker Leonard Floyd is aiming to be more consistent after flashing as a rookie.
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The drop is consistent with the slowdown in the housing market seen in recent months.
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MARCELO: The veteran left back had another remarkable season with Madrid, consistent in defense and decisive in attack with his skillful footwork and precise crosses.
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Covert operations are implicit in many of the other situation reports, which are filled with details that only individuals with close and consistent access to the protesters’ communities could have gathered.
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Still, after 100 days of calm and consistent training, Alway and Freedom finished fourth in the Extreme Mustang Makeover competition held in Lexington, where they were voted Fan Favorite.
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If legal action is pursued, however, the company follows guidelines consistent with industry standards.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'consistent'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of consistent
Latin consistent-, consistens, present participle of consistere —see 1consist
First Known Use: 1638
CONSISTENT Defined for English Language Learners
consistent
playDefinition of consistent for English Language Learners
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: always acting or behaving in the same way
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: of the same quality; especially : good each time
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: continuing to happen or develop in the same way
CONSISTENT Defined for Kids
consistent
Definition of consistent for Students
1 : always the same consistent behavior
2 : being in harmony A balanced diet is consistent with good health.
consistently
adverbLearn More about consistent
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See words that rhyme with consistent Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for consistent Spanish Central: Translation of consistent Nglish: Translation of consistent for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of consistent for Arabic speakers
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