English Reference
Verb

consented

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /kənˈsɛnɪd/ UK /kənsˈɛntɪd/ con·sent·ed

v.gave permission for something to happen or agreed to do something. It is a more formal way to say you said 'yes' to a request.

v.gave assent or permission for something to be done. Often implies a formal or official agreement to a proposal or request.


SIMPLE

She consented to the surgery after talking with her doctor.

CONTEXTUAL

The board members eventually consented to the merger once the financial terms were improved.

COMPLEX

Although the witness initially refused to speak, he eventually consented to an interview on the condition that his identity remained confidential throughout the investigation.

Usage

Intransitive; typically followed by the preposition 'to'.

Pitfall
They consented the plan.They consented to the plan.

The verb is intransitive and requires the preposition 'to' before the object.

The central issue of the trial was whether EM, who was 20 at the time of the incident, had consented to every sexual act in the hotel room that night.

BBC News· 13 Aug 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated