English Reference
noun · verb

consent

n. · v.
US /kənˈsɛnt/ UK /kənsˈɛnt/ con·sent UK spelling consents

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    n.permission for something to happen or agreement to do something.

    n.voluntary agreement or permission given by one person to another. Uncountable in its general sense but often countable in legal or medical contexts.

    Simple

    You must get your parents' consent before you go on the school trip.

    In context

    The patient provided written consent for the surgical procedure after the doctor explained the potential risks and benefits involved.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    v.to agree to do something or to allow something to happen.

    v.to express willingness or give permission. Intransitive, typically followed by the preposition 'to'.

    Simple

    The director finally consented to the changes in the script.

    In context

    After several weeks of intense negotiation, the board of directors consented to the merger under the condition that no staff would be made redundant.

    Usage

    Usually takes the preposition 'to' followed by a noun or an infinitive.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced Formal

    n.when everyone in a group agrees about something.

    n.unity or agreement of opinion, sentiment, or inclination within a group.

    Simple

    By common consent, she was the best person for the job.

    In context

    The policy was adopted by general consent, reflecting a rare moment of total alignment between the competing political factions.

    consensusunanimityaccord

Usage consent to receive · require consent · valid consent

Lawyers for the players contended that EM asked the men to have sex with her and they believed she gave consent.

BBC News· 13 Aug 2026

Calls will only be permitted if they relate to a contract a person has already entered into or the company has obtained prior consent to be contacted for marketing.

BBC News· 11 Aug 2026

Recorded in Middle English since circa 1225, borrowed from Old French consentir, from Latin cōnsentīre (“to agree; to assent, consent”), itself from com- (“with”) + sentiō (“to feel”)

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Latin cōnsentiō
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Common
Updated