consort

1 of 3

noun (1)

con·​sort ˈkän-ˌsȯrt 

1

: associate

the criminal and his consorts

2

: a ship accompanying another

… he could see the brown sail and the red sail of their consorts …

—C. S. Forester

3

: spouse compare prince consort, queen consort

consort

2 of 3

noun (2)

1

: conjunction, association

He ruled in consort with his father.

2

: group, assembly

a consort of specialists

3

a

: a group of singers or instrumentalists performing together

b

: a set of musical instruments of the same family

consort

3 of 3

verb

con·​sort kən-ˈsȯrt 

kän-ˈsȯrt, 

ˈkän-ˌsȯrt 

consorted; consorting; consorts

transitive verb

1

: unite, associate

2

obsolete : escort

intransitive verb

1

: to keep company

consorting with criminals

2

obsolete : to make harmony : play

3

: accord, harmonize

The illustrations consort admirably with the text.

—The Times Literary Supplement (London)

Synonyms of consort

Noun (1)

• spouse
• partner
• husband
• wife
• mate

Noun (2)

• group
• grouping
• batch
• band
• bunch
• cluster

Verb

• associate
• travel
• bond
• collaborate
• mix
• run
• join
• connect
• company
• mingle
• fraternize

Examples of consort in a Sentence

Noun (1)

it is the queen's eldest son and not her consort who is next in line for the throne

Noun (2)

a consort of doctors attended the case

hired a consort of madrigal singers to perform at the wedding reception

Verb

at college she began consorting with drug users, eventually becoming an addict herself

the restaurant's sophisticated menu consorts seamlessly with its sleek, modern ambience

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The palace initially said Camilla would be ‘princess consort’ when Charles was crowned. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 24 June 2026

The noble consort takes the empress’s place, smirking, and stealthily pushes her down the stairs when no one is watching. — Lavender Au, The Dial, 30 June 2026

Verb

But he is detested by western militiamen, and is also known to consort with extremists. — Alessandra Bocchi, WSJ, 13 July 2021

When that’s the case, passengers with TSA PreCheck must consort with the commoners in the standard line. — Laura Kiniry, Outside Online, 9 Mar. 2015

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1) and Verb

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin consort-, consors partner, sharer, from com- + sort-, sors lot, share — more at series

Noun (2)

Middle French consorte, from consort — see consort entry 1

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1584, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1588, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing consort

• consort with
• prince consort
• queen consort

Rhymes for consort

• abort
• airport
• alport
• athwart
• carport
• comport
• deport
• disport
• distort
• escort
• exhort
• extort

Kids Definition

consort

1 of 2 noun

con·​sort ˈkän-ˌsȯ(ə)rt 

1

: associate

2

: spouse

consort

2 of 2 verb

con·​sort

kən-ˈsȯ(ə)rt

: to go together as companions : associate

consorting with criminals