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

But researchers’ estimates that Grok was generating thousands of harmful images an hour appear to be increasingly backed by lawsuits from victims surfacing non-consensual images. —Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 1 May 2026

Holder denied raping her, according to the reports, and claimed the encounter was consensual. —Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026

In his trial, Hitchcock claimed the actions were consensual and that his brother, who entered the bedroom shortly afterward, killed the girl by strangulation. —Jim Turner, Miami Herald, 1 May 2026

Weinstein's lawyers say everything that happened between the two was consensual and part of a four-year, caring relationship. —ABC News, 1 May 2026

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