consensual

adjective

con·​sen·​su·​al kən-ˈsen(t)-sh(ə-)wəl 

-shəl,

-shü-əl

1

: existing or made by mutual consent without an act of writing

a consensual contract

2

: involving or based on mutual consent

consensual acts

consensually adverb

Examples of consensual in a Sentence

She claims their relationship was consensual.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Justice Department investigated his potential mishandling of sensitive information and the FBI conducted a consensual search of the home. —Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2024

Lower level courts have argued that the law in question applies only to infanticide and not consensual abortions. —Eva Epker, Forbes, 5 Oct. 2024

While the intimate moments between Arthur and Lee are consensual, the former does plant two non-consensual kisses on Catherine Keener’s Maryanne Stewart, his lawyer. —Jack Smart, People.com, 3 Oct. 2024

At the start of this year, SAG-AFTRA brokered a controversial deal with an AI voice technology company to allow the consensual licensing of digitally replicated voices for video games. —Angela Yang, NBC News, 17 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin consensuālis, from Latin consensu-, stem of consensus "agreement, consensus" + -ālis -al entry 1

First Known Use

1689, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

consensual

adjective

con·​sen·​su·​al kən-ˈsench-(ə-)wəl 

-ˈsen-shəl

: involving, made by, or based on shared agreement

a consensual contract

Medical Definition

consensual

adjective

con·​sen·​su·​al kən-ˈsench-(ə-)wəl, -ˈsen-chəl 

1

: existing or made by mutual consent

consensual sexual behavior

2

: relating to or being the constrictive pupillary response of an eye that is covered when the other eye is exposed to light

consensually

-ē 

adverb

Legal Definition

consensual

adjective

con·​sen·​su·​al kən-ˈsen-chə-wəl 

1

: existing or made by mutual consent without any further act (as a writing)

2

: involving or based on mutual consent

consensual sexual intercourse