What does "coherent" mean?

1. (logical and clear) logical and easy to understand because the ideas are connected well. 2. (unified whole) forming a complete and organized whole where all parts fit together. 3. (physics of waves) describes waves, like light in a laser, that move together in the same direction and at the same time. 4. (botany) describes plant parts of the same kind that are grown together or touching.

How do you use "coherent"?

Commonly used to describe speech, writing, or arguments.

coherent

adj.

US //koʊˈhɪɹənt// UK //kəʊhˈiəɹənt// co·her·ent

1 logical and clear (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

logical and easy to understand because the ideas are connected well.

logical, consistent, and easy to follow; specifically used of arguments, thoughts, or speech.

Example

The student wrote a coherent essay with a clear beginning and end.

Example

The witness was unable to provide a coherent account of the incident, as her shock made her jump between unrelated details.

Usage

Commonly used to describe speech, writing, or arguments.
- incoherent
- confused
2 unified whole (adj.)
C1 Advanced Academic

forming a complete and organized whole where all parts fit together.

forming a unified whole; having a natural or due agreement of parts.

Example

The city needs a coherent plan for public transport instead of many small projects.

Example

The collection of short stories lacks a coherent theme, making the book feel more like a random assortment than a deliberate work.
- fragmented
- disjointed

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3 physics of waves (adj.)
C2 Proficiency Technical Science

describes waves, like light in a laser, that move together in the same direction and at the same time.

of waves having the same direction, wavelength, and phase relationship.

Example

A laser produces a beam of coherent light that can travel long distances.

Example

The experiment required a coherent light source to ensure that the interference patterns remained stable throughout the observation period.
- synchronized
- incoherent
4 botany (adj.)
C2 Proficiency Technical Science

describes plant parts of the same kind that are grown together or touching.

referring to similar parts of a plant that are united or closely pressed together.

Example

The botanist noted that the petals were coherent, forming a tube shape.

Example

In certain species, the coherent stamens form a protective cylinder around the central style of the flower.
- attached
- joined

Origin

From Middle French coherent, from Latin cohaērēns, from co- + haereō. By surface analysis, cohere + -ent.