Meaning & use
coherent
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Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Arranged with clear connections so that ideas, words, or parts fit together and can be understood.
Grammar: Often follows be/seem or precedes noun: a coherent plan. Learners often use more coherent for clearer organization.
Patterns
- a coherent argument
- coherent explanation
- become more coherent
The essay presents a coherent argument.
After coffee, her story became more coherent.
We need one coherent policy, not five conflicting memos.
adjectivebefore a noun
Consistent or unified in style, purpose, or identity rather than scattered or contradictory.
Grammar: Common before nouns: a coherent strategy. It stresses parts forming one whole.
Patterns
- coherent strategy
- coherent whole
- coherent approach
The campaign lacked a coherent message.
The neighborhood grew into a coherent whole.
A coherent approach reduced duplicated work.
adjectivebefore a nounphysicstechnical
Of light, sound, or waves, having a constant phase relationship so the waves stay aligned.
Grammar: Technical and usually attributive: coherent light. Not used for ordinary clear speech.
Patterns
- coherent light
- coherent beam
- coherent waves
A laser produces coherent light.
The lab measured a coherent beam from the source.
Coherent waves keep a stable phase as they travel.
Word forms
| comparative | more coherent |
|---|---|
| superlative | most coherent |
Common combinations
- coherent argument
- The lawyer built a coherent argument from the evidence.
- coherent explanation
- The manual gives a coherent explanation of the settings.
- coherent plan
- A coherent plan helped the volunteers work in shifts.
- coherent whole
- The chapters finally formed a coherent whole.
Synonyms and how they differ
- logical
- Focuses on valid reasoning; a coherent text may still be logically false if its facts are wrong.
- consistent
- Stresses not contradicting itself, less about smooth organization.
- clear
- Broader; clear can mean easy to see or hear, not necessarily well connected.
- articulate
- Describes a person who expresses ideas well, while coherent describes the ideas or text.
Opposites
Word family
- coherence noun
- The quality of being connected and understandable.
- coherently adverb
- In a clear, connected way.
- incoherent adjective
- Not connected or not understandable.
Commonly confused: coherent or cohesive? coherent or adhesive?
coherent vs cohesive
Cohesive means sticking together as a group or text; coherent means clearly organized and understandable.
coherent vs adhesive
Adhesive is glue or sticky material, not connected ideas.
Practice
Which word best means “clearly organized so the ideas fit together”?
Choose one answer.
Coherent fits connected, understandable organization. Cohesive is about unity or sticking together, adhesive is glue, and fluent mainly describes smooth speech or language control.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “coherent”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.