# coherent

/koʊˈhɪɹənt/ (US) · /kəʊhˈiəɹənt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/coherent
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. logical and clear

adjective · CEFR B2 · Academic

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

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

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

### 2. unified whole

adjective · CEFR C1 · Academic

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

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

- The city needs a coherent plan for public transport instead of many small projects.
- The collection of short stories lacks a coherent theme, making the book feel more like a random assortment than a deliberate work.

### 3. physics of waves

adjective · CEFR C2 · Technical

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

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

- A laser produces a beam of coherent light that can travel long distances.
- The experiment required a coherent light source to ensure that the interference patterns remained stable throughout the observation period.

### 4. botany

adjective · CEFR C2 · Technical

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

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

- The botanist noted that the petals were coherent, forming a tube shape.
- In certain species, the coherent stamens form a protective cylinder around the central style of the flower.

## Examples

- The manager presented a coherent plan to save the business.
- After the accident, the driver was too shocked to give a coherent account of what had happened.
- The author weaves multiple historical timelines and philosophical arguments into a coherent narrative that challenges the reader without becoming overwhelming.

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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.