coherent

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/koʊˈhɪrənt/
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Clear, connected, and able to form a whole that makes sense or works together.
Practice using coherent in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • The experiment requires two coherent beams.
  • The reforms should become a coherent system rather than isolated rules.
  • After some sleep, he was calm and coherent again.
  • The separate chapters form a coherent whole.
  • The detector compares radiation from coherent sources.

Similar words

unified
organized
logical
reasoned
phase-locked
lucid
integrated
cohesive
consistent
harmonious

Meanings

Clear and logically connected

adjective
communication
neutral
Clear and easy to understand because the ideas follow one another in a sensible, consistent way.

Examples

  • She gave a coherent explanation of what went wrong.
  • Is there a coherent argument behind the proposal?
  • After some sleep, he was calm and coherent again.
  • The report contains useful facts but no coherent story.
  • We need a coherent plan before work begins.

Similar words

logical
clear
consistent
organized
lucid
intelligible
reasoned

Working or holding together as a whole

adjective
systems
neutral
Made of parts that fit, hold, or work together as one united whole.

Examples

  • The separate chapters form a coherent whole.
  • Years of practice turned them into a coherent team.
  • The designer combined several styles into one coherent look.
  • Without enough binder, the mixture will not remain coherent.
  • The reforms should become a coherent system rather than isolated rules.

Similar words

unified
integrated
cohesive
connected
coordinated
harmonious

Keeping a fixed wave relationship

adjective
physics
technical
Describing waves that keep the same phase difference, or a source that produces such waves.

Examples

  • A laser produces highly coherent light.
  • The experiment requires two coherent beams.
  • Are the signals still coherent after passing through the material?
  • Noise can make the waves less coherent over distance.
  • The detector compares radiation from coherent sources.

Similar words

phase-locked
phase-related
synchronized

Etymology

Borrowed through French from Latin cohaerens, the present participle of cohaerere, meaning to hold together or be connected.

FAQ

What does coherent mean?

It usually means clear and logically connected, or made of parts that work together as a whole.

Can a person be coherent?

Yes. A coherent person can express thoughts clearly enough to be understood.

What is the opposite of coherent?

Incoherent is the closest general opposite. Depending on the sense, confused, inconsistent, or fragmented may also fit.

What is a coherent argument?

A coherent argument has ideas that connect logically and support its conclusion.

What does coherent mean in physics?

It describes waves with a constant phase difference, or a source that produces them.

Where does coherent come from?

It came through French from Latin cohaerens, meaning holding together or being connected.

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