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

These are the same individuals, former long-term girlfriends, who were involved in consensual relationships. —Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 4 Apr. 2025

Brand maintains all of his relationships were consensual. —Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 4 Apr. 2025

Pulse then skips away from its current-day timeline to provide lengthy flashbacks of Danny and Xander’s very consensual relationship. —Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 3 Apr. 2025

Williams has denied giving women date-rape drugs, and says that any encounters with his accusers were consensual. —Ronan Farrow, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025

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