noun
consensus
kuhn-SEHN-suhs
noun
1
General agreement reached among the members of a group, usually after discussion.
"The committee reached a consensus after a long debate."
"There is broad scientific consensus that the treatment is safe."
verb
1
To work toward or reach general agreement through discussion.
"The board members consensused on a new budget over two meetings."
How to Use Consensus
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost or all people in a group agreeing on something.
Common mistake
Consensus already means general agreement, so "general consensus" is technically redundant, though it is extremely common in everyday use.
Common pairings
reach a consensus
general consensus
scientific consensus
consensus view
Word Forms
consensused past tense, consensuses plural, consensus plural, consensuses singular
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The committee reached a _____ after a long debate.
Etymology
From Latin consensus, "agreement," from consentire, "to feel together" — the same root as consent.