# coherence

/koʊˈhɪɹəns/ (US) · /kəʊhˈiəɹəns/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/coherence
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Usage notes

- Uncountable in its abstract sense; often paired with the preposition 'of' or 'between'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.