consistent

consistent — adjective

1. describing someone or something that does not change much over time, so you can

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

describing someone or something that does not change much over time, so you can count on them to keep acting or performing at a similar level.

Example

Ravindra is a consistent player who scores at least fifteen points in every game.

collocation: consistent player / consistent performer

The restaurant's food has been consistent over the years, so customers keep coming back.

predicative use: has been + consistent + time phrase

Common collocations
  • consistent performance
  • consistent quality
  • consistent effort
  • consistent results
  • consistent improvement
  • consistent winner
Synonyms
  • steady

    Focuses on gradual, continuous motion or progress without sudden changes, rather than uniform quality across instances.

  • reliable

    Emphasises trustworthiness and dependability rather than sameness; a reliable worker can still vary in output as long as they show up on time.

  • constant

    Suggests uninterrupted continuous action ('constant noise'), while 'consistent' implies repeated actions of the same standard.

  • uniform

    More formal; stresses identical parts or instances, often in manufacturing or appearance ('uniform size').

Antonyms
  • inconsistent

    The direct opposite — describes behaviour or quality that changes unpredictably from one time to the next.

  • erratic

    Stronger than inconsistent; suggests wild, unpredictable swings rather than simple variation.

  • variable

    Neutral in tone; describes something that naturally changes, without negative judgement.

Grammar Patterns

consistent + noun (attributive)

be/remain/stay + consistent (predicative)

Common Mistakes

She is a constant worker who never misses a day.' (when meaning 'reliable, same level over time').
She is a consistent worker who never misses a day.
'constant' means 'always happening', while 'consistent' means 'not changing in quality or behaviour.'
The weather has been consistent this week, with rain every afternoon.' (acceptable but may confuse).
The weather has been consistent this week
rainy every afternoon.' — 'consistent' works for patterns, but learners often overextend it to describe any repetitive event.

2. If one thing is consistent with another, it fits naturally with it and does not

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

If one thing is consistent with another, it fits naturally with it and does not contradict it — used when a fact, action, or idea matches another fact, rule, or expected pattern.

Example

The witness's story is consistent with the evidence found at the scene.

pattern: consistent with + noun phrase

Yan's actions are not consistent with someone who claims to value environmental protection.

Common collocations
  • consistent with the facts
  • consistent with the evidence
  • consistent with the findings
  • consistent with the principles
  • consistent with the policy
  • consistent with expectations
Synonyms
  • compatible

    Often used for systems, technologies, or people that can work together without conflict ('compatible software').

  • in keeping with

    A slightly more formal phrase that emphasises harmony with a tradition or style ('in keeping with the building's original design').

  • harmonious

    Stronger aesthetic or emotional tone; suggests a pleasing balance rather than mere logical agreement.

Antonyms
  • inconsistent with

    The direct opposite: 'His statement is inconsistent with the video evidence.'

  • contradictory

    Stronger than inconsistent; implies direct opposition rather than mere mismatch.

  • irreconcilable

    Suggests two things cannot be made to agree at all, no matter how hard you try.

Grammar Patterns

consistent with + noun phrase

consistent with + wh-clause

be/remain + consistent with

Usage Note

Almost always appears in the pattern 'consistent with + noun phrase' (e.g. 'consistent with the data', 'consistent with company policy'). Common in academic, legal, and business writing to show that new information does not contradict existing knowledge. The opposite is 'inconsistent with'. Note: 'consistent with' is NOT used in the STEADY AND RELIABLE sense — you cannot say 'Her work was consistent with high quality' when you mean it was consistently of high quality.

Common Mistakes

His actions were consistent to his beliefs.
His actions were consistent with his beliefs.
the correct preposition is always 'with', never 'to'.
The data is consistent to what we expected.
The data is consistent with what we expected.
same preposition error; 'with' is required before both noun phrases and wh-clauses.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words describe things that do not change, but they emphasise different aspects. 'Steady' focuses on gradual, continuous motion or progress without sudden dips — a steady worker keeps going at an even pace, while a consistent worker delivers the same result every time. 'Constant' suggests uninterrupted, ceaseless activity (e.g., 'constant noise'), whereas 'consistent' allows for gaps between instances as long as the quality stays the same. 'Uniform' stresses identical parts within a whole — a uniform surface has no bumps — and fits manufacturing or appearance contexts better than behaviour. 'Reliable' emphasises trustworthiness and predictability rather than sameness; a reliable car always starts, but its fuel efficiency might vary slightly. In everyday use, 'consistent' is the broadest positive term: you would say 'a consistent tennis player' (same level each match), but 'a steady improvement' (gradual upward trend) rather than 'a consistent improvement'.

steady ↗constant ↗uniform ↗reliable ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

  • highly consistent
  • perfectly consistent
  • remarkably consistent
  • broadly consistent
  • entirely consistent
  • fairly consistent

Phrases

  • remain consistent
  • stay consistent
  • keep something consistent
  • consistent across the board

Prepositions

  • consistent with

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

From Latin 'consistere' — which originally meant 'to stand firm, stop, or stand still.' It was formed by combining 'com-' (together) and 'sistere' (to stand). The idea was that things that are consistent 'stand together' without falling apart. The word entered English through French in the 1500s with the meaning 'to be in agreement.' By the 1700s, it had developed the additional meaning 'steady and unchanging over time.'