noun
Common
consistency
kuhn-SIHS-tuhn-see
Consistency (noun) means the quality of always behaving or performing in the same reliable way. Example: “Success in long races comes from consistency rather than occasional bursts of speed.”
noun
1
The quality of always behaving or performing in the same reliable way.
"Success in long races comes from consistency rather than occasional bursts of speed."
"The restaurant is known for the consistency of its friendly service."
"The coach praised her consistency throughout the season."
2
The thickness or texture of a substance.
"Stir the sauce until it has the consistency of thick cream."
"The mud had a sticky consistency that clung to our boots."
"Add water until the batter reaches a smooth consistency."
3
Logical agreement between different statements or parts, without contradiction.
"There was no consistency between his two accounts of the evening."
"The editor checked the report for consistency before publishing it."
"The lawyer checked the witness statements for consistency."
How to use consistency
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBeing steady and reliable, or how thick/smooth a substance is.
Common pairings
maintain consistency
the consistency of the dough
lack of consistency
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Word forms
- Plural
- consistencies
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Success in long races comes from _____ rather than occasional bursts of speed.
Etymology
Formed from consistent plus -cy.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for consistency
agency
latency
urgency
potency
decency
regency
currency
tendency
clemency
leniency
frequency
emergency
See all rhymes for consistency →
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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