Word
coherence
Phoneticsco·her·ence, stress on the second syllable
US/koʊˈhɪɹəns/
UK/kəʊhˈiəɹəns/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. the way parts of something fit together in a clear and logical way. When a story or an argument has this, it is easy to follow and understand.
n. the quality of being logical, consistent, and forming a unified whole. In linguistics, it refers to the underlying semantic connections that make a text meaningful to a reader.
Examples
“The essay lacks coherence and is hard to follow.”
“The lawyer's argument had such strong coherence that the jury understood the complex timeline of events immediately.”
“While the individual scenes were visually stunning, the film lacked narrative coherence, leaving the audience confused about the protagonist's ultimate motivations and the plot's resolution.”
Examples
simple
“The essay lacks coherence and is hard to follow.”
contextual
“The lawyer's argument had such strong coherence that the jury understood the complex timeline of events immediately.”
complex
“While the individual scenes were visually stunning, the film lacked narrative coherence, leaving the audience confused about the protagonist's ultimate motivations and the plot's resolution.”
Usage
Uncountable in its abstract sense; often paired with the preposition 'of' or 'between'.
Real-World Examples
“Schools need enough coherence to ensure students get equal learning opportunities.” Etymology
From Middle French coherence, from Latin cohaerentia. By surface analysis, cohere + -ence.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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