Coherent
adjective /kəʊˈhɪərənt/ — Clear, logical, and easy to follow.
Definition
Logical and consistent; forming a united, clearly understood whole.
Beyond the definition
A coherent argument is one where every piece connects — nothing contradicts, nothing is missing. Coherent writing or speaking makes it easy for the reader to follow your thinking. It's the quality that separates clear communicators from confusing ones.
Origin & history
From Latin cohaerere — to stick together (co- 'together' + haerere 'to adhere, stick').
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
Her argument was coherent from beginning to end — nothing contradicted anything else.
After a long meeting, he struggled to give a coherent summary.
Write a coherent paragraph: one clear idea, supported, then closed.
How to use it
This entry uses an adjective. Follow the examples for the nouns it describes and its position in the sentence.
Choose “Coherent” when the meaning fits your context: Logical and consistent; forming a united, clearly understood whole.
Synonyms
logical, clear, consistent, organised, structured
Antonyms
incoherent, confused, muddled, rambling
Related words
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Ordered Structure of Pieces
An adult works at a large table, methodically arranging complex, interlocking wooden pieces into one clear, ordered, and unified structure.
The resulting unified wooden structure illustrates coherence. Every piece has been placed according to a logical, step-by-step process, creating a whole that is consistent and clearly understood, demonstrating how order results in a logical and united outcome.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Coherent" mean?
Coherent is adjective meaning: Clear, logical, and easy to follow.. Logical and consistent; forming a united, clearly understood whole.
Where does the word "Coherent" come from?
From Latin cohaerere — to stick together (co- 'together' + haerere 'to adhere, stick').