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

As of state legislation passed in 2024, creating or distributing non-consensual pornographic deepfakes is a misdemeanor offense in Indiana. —Jen Guadarrama, IndyStar, 5 Sep. 2025

At least 14 CEOs have been fired for apparently consensual affairs since 2016, according to Challenger Gray & Christmas data, often coinciding with either operational missteps or misuse of corporate assets. —Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2025

Depardieu has previously denied the allegation, claiming his encounter with Arnould had been consensual. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 2 Sep. 2025

Bernard Looney, the former CEO of BP, resigned from the company in 2023 after failing to disclose several consensual relationships with colleagues. —Kim Elsesser, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 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