consistent

adjective

con·​sis·​tent kən-ˈsi-stənt 

1

a

: marked by harmony, regularity, or steady continuity : free from variation or contradiction

a consistent style in painting

Data from recent experiments show consistent results.

Prior to World War I, many Americans didn't maintain consistent spellings of their first and last names.

—Michael Waters

b

: marked by agreement : compatible

Their descriptions of the accident were consistent.

—usually used with with

statements not consistent with the truth

symptoms consistent with heart disease

The decision was consistent with the company's policy.

… the necropsy results revealed distinct holes in the wolves' skulls that were consistent with cougar bites.

—Dac Collins

c

: showing steady conformity to character, profession, belief, or custom

a consistent patriot

He is a consistent supporter of the museum.

d

: continuing to happen or develop in the same way

The pain has been consistent.

Your grades have shown consistent improvement.

2

: tending to be arbitrarily close to the true value of the parameter estimated as the sample becomes large

a consistent statistical estimator

3

archaic : possessing firmness or coherence

consistently

kən-ˈsi-stənt-lē 

adverb

We played consistently all season.

The store has consistently low prices.

Synonyms of consistent

• compatible
• consonant
• coherent

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, (1953) 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 on the Web

The baby’s injuries were consistent with a ligature strangulation, and his cause of death was complications of mechanical asphyxia, the examiner testified. — Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026

Many entrepreneurs assume that consistent growth is sufficient to attract buyers. — Amit Jain, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Salesforce has lost more than 40% of its value since the end of 2024 despite accelerating revenue growth and consistent margins. — Jordan Novet, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026

The most consistent signature across her growing catalogue is her self-assurance as a performer. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin consistent-, consistens, present participle of consistere "to come to a halt, remain at the same level, take up a position, reside, be composed of, be established (in a given state)" — more at consist entry 1

First Known Use

1638, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing consistent

• self-consistent

Rhymes for consistent

• assistant
• existent
• insistent
• persistent
• resistant
• subsistent
• coexistent
• equidistant
• inconsistent
• nonexistent
• preexistent
• distant

Kids Definition

consistent

adjective

con·​sis·​tent kən-ˈsis-tənt 

1

: being in agreement or harmony

actions consistent with our policy

2

: being unchanging in behavior or beliefs

a consistent supporter

consistently adverb