# consistency

/kənˈsɪstənsi/ (US) · /kənsˈɪstənsi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/consistency
Updated: 2026-07-22

## Senses

### 1. uniformity of behaviour

noun · CEFR B2

the quality of always acting or happening in the same way over time.

For teachers: the quality of achieving a level of performance or behaving in a way that does not vary over time.

- The team's consistency was the main reason they won the championship this year.
- The manager praised the staff for their consistency in maintaining high service standards even during the busiest weeks of the tourist season.

### 2. thickness of a substance

noun · CEFR B2

how thick, smooth, or firm a liquid or mixture is.

For teachers: the degree of firmness, density, or viscosity of a liquid or semi-solid substance.

- Add a little more milk until the sauce has a smooth consistency.
- The chef explained that the batter must reach a thick, ribbon-like consistency before it is ready to be folded into the egg whites.

### 3. logical agreement

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

the state of having different parts or ideas that agree with each other.

For teachers: the condition of being internally coherent or compatible; the absence of contradictions within a system or argument.

- The lawyer looked for consistency between the witness's new story and her old one.
- The research paper was criticised because the data lacked consistency with the theoretical framework established in the opening chapters.

### 4. logical non-contradiction

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Academic

a state where a set of rules or ideas does not contain any parts that prove each other wrong.

For teachers: the property of a formal system or set of axioms where no two propositions derived from them are mutually contradictory.

- The professor proved the consistency of the new mathematical model.
- In formal logic, the consistency of a set of axioms is fundamental, as a single contradiction can render the entire system unsound.

## Examples

- The team needs more consistency to win the championship.
- The chef checked the sauce to ensure it had the right consistency before serving it to the guests.
- Maintaining logical consistency within a complex legal argument is essential for ensuring that the final verdict remains defensible under judicial review.

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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.