coherent
koh-HEER-ruhnt
Coherent (adj) means Logical, clear, and easy to follow; making sense as a whole. Example: “She gave a coherent explanation of what had happened.”
adj
1
Logical, clear, and easy to follow; making sense as a whole.
"She gave a coherent explanation of what had happened."
"The report lacked a coherent structure and jumped between topics."
"After a good night's sleep, he was calm enough to give a coherent answer."
2
Sticking together as a unified whole.
"The team finally worked as a coherent unit."
"The clay mixture stayed coherent and did not crumble when we shaped it."
"With the same colours throughout, the room felt like a coherent whole."
How to use coherent
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMaking logical sense, or holding together as a unified, connected whole.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "cohesive" (things sticking together as a group) — "coherent" is more about logical clarity, though the two overlap.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a coherent argument
coherent plan
coherent strategy
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more coherent
- Superlative
- most coherent
Fill the gap
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She gave a _____ explanation of what had happened.
Etymology
From Latin cohaerens, the present participle of cohaerere, "to stick together," from co- + haerere ("to stick").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for coherent
See all rhymes for coherent →Frequently asked questions
What does “coherent” mean?
The word “coherent” means logical, clear, and easy to follow; making sense as a whole. In plain terms, making logical sense, or holding together as a unified, connected whole.
How do you pronounce “coherent”?
“Coherent” is pronounced koh-HEER-ruhnt (/koʊˈhɛɹ.ənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “coherent” in a sentence?
Here is “coherent” used in a sentence: “She gave a coherent explanation of what had happened.”
What is the opposite of “coherent”?
The opposite of “coherent” — its antonyms — is incoherent.
What part of speech is “coherent”?
“Coherent” is an adjective.
Where does the word “coherent” come from?
The word “coherent” comes from Latin. From Latin cohaerens, the present participle of cohaerere, "to stick together," from co- + haerere ("to stick").
Is “coherent” a common word?
“Coherent” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “coherent” have?
“Coherent” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: logical, clear, and easy to follow; making sense as a whole.
What is the difference between 'coherent' and 'cohesive'?
'Coherent' describes something logical, clear, and easy to follow, making sense as a whole, and is typically applied to arguments, speech, or writing. 'Cohesive' more often describes physical or structural sticking together, though 'coherent' also has this sense of sticking together as a unified whole, so the two overlap in meaning.
What does it mean to call an argument 'coherent'?
A coherent argument is logical, clear, and easy to follow, with its parts making sense together as a unified whole. This is the opposite of an argument that is disjointed, contradictory, or hard to follow.
Is 'coherent' only used to describe speech or writing?
No, 'coherent' also describes things sticking together as a unified whole in a more literal or structural sense, not just logical clarity in communication. Both senses share the underlying idea of parts fitting together consistently.
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