# consensual

/kənˈsɛnsuəɫ/ (US) · /kənsˈɛnsjuːəl/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/consensual
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

describing something that everyone involved has agreed to. It is often used to talk about legal agreements or physical contact between people.

For teachers: relating to or involving mutual consent between all parties. Frequently used in legal and ethical contexts to describe voluntary participation in an activity.

## Examples

- The two companies reached a consensual agreement to merge.
- Legal experts emphasize that any physical contact must be consensual to be considered lawful and ethical.
- The transition to the new management structure was entirely consensual, with every department head signing off on the proposed changes before they were implemented.

## Usage notes

- Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'be' or 'remain', or attributively before nouns like 'agreement' or 'encounter'.

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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.