1
Core quality
Clear, logical, internally consistent, and forming a unified whole.
Example
The evidence supports a coherent account of the settlement's decline.
coherent
/kəʊˈhɪərənt/ · koh-HEER-untadjective
Clear, logical, internally consistent, and forming a unified whole.
Use coherent to express this relationship precisely: clear, logical, internally consistent, and forming a unified whole.
What coherent Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Attributive or predicative use
Use this adjective before a suitable noun or after a linking verb such as be or seem.
Example
Each chapter is strong, but together they do not form a coherent argument.
3
Analytical distinction
Choose it when this exact descriptive quality matters; a related word may overlap without conveying the same trait.
Example
The model combines the observations into one coherent explanation.
Use coherent Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The evidence supports a coherent account of the settlement's decline.
Each chapter is strong, but together they do not form a coherent argument.
The model combines the observations into one coherent explanation.
Precision Matters
Coherent overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
coherent
vs.Means clear, logical, internally consistent, and forming a unified whole.
lucid
Means clear, coherent, and easy to understand.
coherent
vs.Means clear, logical, internally consistent, and forming a unified whole.
convoluted
Means excessively complicated, intricate, or difficult to follow and understand.
coherent
vs.Means clear, logical, internally consistent, and forming a unified whole.
consistent with
Means in agreement or harmony with; not contradicted by.
coherent
vs.Means clear, logical, internally consistent, and forming a unified whole.
haphazard
Means random, disorganised, and lacking a deliberate method.
Test coherent in Context
The revised narrative is logically connected and forms a clear whole.
1
After reorganising the evidence by date, the author produced a far more ___ narrative.