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noun Common

consistency

kuhn-SIHS-tuhn-see

Consistency (noun) means the quality of always behaving or performing in the same reliable way. Example: “The coach praised her consistency throughout the season.”

noun
1
The quality of always behaving or performing in the same reliable way.
"The coach praised her consistency throughout the season."
2
The thickness or texture of a substance.
"Add water until the batter reaches a smooth consistency."
3
Logical agreement between different statements or parts, without contradiction.
"The lawyer checked the witness statements for consistency."

How to Use Consistency

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishBeing steady and reliable, or how thick/smooth a substance is.

Common pairings
maintain consistency the consistency of the dough lack of consistency

Word Forms

consistencies plural

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The coach praised her _____ throughout the season.

Etymology

Formed from consistent plus -cy.

Related Words

Rhymes for consistency

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “consistency” mean?

The word “consistency” means the quality of always behaving or performing in the same reliable way. In plain terms, being steady and reliable, or how thick/smooth a substance is.

How do you pronounce “consistency”?

“Consistency” is pronounced kuhn-SIHS-tuhn-see (/kənˈsɪs.tən.si/ in IPA).

How do you use “consistency” in a sentence?

Here is “consistency” used in a sentence: “The coach praised her consistency throughout the season.”

What is the opposite of “consistency”?

The opposite of “consistency” — its antonyms — is inconsistency.

What part of speech is “consistency”?

“Consistency” is a noun.

Is “consistency” a common word?

“Consistency” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “consistency” have?

“Consistency” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the quality of always behaving or performing in the same reliable way.

What is the difference between consistency and persistence?

Consistency means doing something the same reliable way every time; persistence means continuing despite difficulty or failure. A consistent writer produces steady, even work, while a persistent one keeps going after rejections. The qualities often go together but are not the same.

What is the difference between consistency and coherence?

Consistency means the parts of an argument or text do not contradict one another. Coherence goes further: the parts must also connect logically and flow as a unified whole. Writing can be consistent — free of contradictions — and still lack coherence.

What does consistency refer to in cooking and baking?

In the kitchen, consistency describes the thickness and texture of a mixture — how runny, smooth, stiff, or dense it is. Recipes call for things like "a smooth, pourable consistency" as a practical test of whether a batter or sauce is ready.

Is consistency countable or uncountable?

In the sense of reliable behaviour or logical agreement, it is uncountable: "Her consistency impressed the coach." In the texture sense it normally appears in the singular with an article and an adjective: "Beat the mixture to a creamy consistency."

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