English Reference
Adjective

cogent

adj.
C1 Advanced US /ˈkoʊdʒənt/ UK /kˈəʊdʒənt/ co·gent

adj.describing an argument or explanation that is clear, logical, and convincing. You use this when someone presents their ideas in a way that is easy to follow and makes sense.

adj.characterised by clarity, logical force, and persuasiveness. Often used to describe arguments, evidence, or reasoning that effectively supports a conclusion.


SIMPLE

She gave a cogent explanation of the new rules.

CONTEXTUAL

The lawyer presented a cogent argument that convinced the jury of the defendant's innocence.

COMPLEX

Despite the complexity of the data, the researcher provided a cogent summary that highlighted the key findings without overwhelming the audience with technical jargon.

As they explore and communicate to the wider world who they are, they incorporate their emerging professional identities into a cogent self-narrative.

Phys.org· 18 Aug 2026

From French cogent, from Latin cōgēns, present active participle of cōgō (“drive together, compel”), from cō + agō (“drive”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Latin cōgēns
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated