A consensus is general agreement among a group of people.
The consensus amongst scientists is that the world will warm up over the next fewdecades. [+ amongst]
The question of when the troops should leave would be decided by consensus.
Synonyms: agreement, general agreement, unanimity, common consent More Synonyms of consensus
consensus in British English
(kənˈsɛnsəs)
noun
general or widespread agreement (esp in the phrase consensus of opinion)
▶ USAGE Since consensus refers to a collective opinion, the words of opinion in the phrase consensus of opinion are redundant and should therefore be avoided
Word origin
C19: from Latin, from consentīre to feel together, agree; see consent
consensus in American English
(kənˈsɛnsəs)
noun
1.
an opinion held by all or most
2.
general agreement, esp. in opinion
Word origin
L < pp. of consentire: see consent
COBUILD Collocations
consensus
general consensus
scientific consensus
Examples of 'consensus' in a sentence
consensus
You would need a very large consensus of the people for that to happen.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
You have to be willing to question consensus thinking.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
There is no point in waiting around when there is a general consensus on what to do.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The consensus of opinion would suggest that structurally it altered very little.
Francis Pryor BRITAIN BC: Life In Britain and Ireland before the Romans (2003)
There is now widespread consensus that business must change and that responsible business is good business.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It is a pretty large consensus that includes people of impeccable independence and academic standing.
The Sun (2016)
Beyond these there is no general consensus on the specific nature of a science.
Tom Cannon Basic Marketing. Principles and Practice (1986)
The consensus of opinion will be that perhaps you have failed.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Consensus opinion still points to a buy.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Yet it is clear that in modern societies there is not always universal agreement and consensus on all issues.
Appelbaum, Richard P. Sociology (1995)
Plans were based on consensus opinion.
Kiam, Victor Going For It!: How to Succeed As an Entrepreneur (1986)
In the middle lies a consensus of opinion that financial controls are necessary but differing views about how deep they should go.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The small group sought a consensus which had ramifications within the politics of the women's movement.
Rowbotham, Sheila The Past is Before Us - feminism in action since the 1960s (1989)
The general consensus was a decisive 3-0 home win.
The Sun (2014)
The general consensus is that the Academy voters are not too interested in the foreign language contenders.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The general consensus is that it dropped slightly to 5.1 per cent.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
I pondered the idea of a consensus with people against a consensus.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The general consensus was in favour of that idea but it had to match the closing of the European window.
The Sun (2015)
On speaking to other parents, the general consensus seems to be that it is safer to turn the other cheek.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
It's a consensus of opinion.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Consensus opinions often prove wrong.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
OVER the past few weeks, the nation seems to have reached a general consensus about bullying.
The Sun (2010)
In other languages
consensus
British English: consensus /kənˈsɛnsəs/ NOUN
A consensus is general agreement amongst a group of people.
There is a growing consensus that more action is needed.
American English: consensus
Arabic: إِجْماع
Brazilian Portuguese: unanimidade
Chinese: 共识
Croatian: suglasnost
Czech: konsenzus
Danish: enighed
Dutch: consensus
European Spanish: consenso
Finnish: yksimielisyys
French: consensus
German: Übereinstimmung
Greek: ομοφωνία
Italian: consenso
Japanese: コンセンサス
Korean: 일치
Norwegian: enighet
Polish: zgoda
European Portuguese: unanimidade
Romanian: consens
Russian: единодушие
Latin American Spanish: consenso
Swedish: samstämmighet
Thai: ความคิดเห็นของคนส่วนใหญ่
Turkish: oy birliği
Ukrainian: консенсус
Vietnamese: sự đồng thuận
Chinese translation of 'consensus'
consensus
(kənˈsɛnsəs)
n(s)
一致 (yīzhì)
the consensus (of opinion) is that ... 一致的(意见(見))是 ... (yīzhì de (yìjiàn) shì ... )
(noun)
Definition
general or widespread agreement
The declaration reflects a growing consensus on the types of reform necessary.
Synonyms
agreement
The talks ended in acrimony rather than agreement.
general agreement
unanimity
All decisions would require unanimity.
common consent
unity
Speakers at the rally mouthed sentiments of unity.
harmony
a future in which humans live in harmony with nature
assent
He gave his assent to the proposed legislation.
concord
A climate of concord and tolerance prevails among the two communities.
concurrence
kotahitanga (New Zealand)
Usage note
The original meaning of the word consensus is a collective opinion. Because the concept of `opinion' is contained within this word, a few people argue that the phrase a consensus of opinion is incorrect and should be avoided. However, this common use of the word is unlikely to jar with the majority of speakers.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of assent
Definition
agreement, consent
He gave his assent to the proposed legislation.
Synonyms
agreement,
accord,
sanction,
approval,
permission,
acceptance,
consent,
compliance,
accession,
acquiescence,
concurrence
in the sense of concord
Definition
peaceful relations between nations
A climate of concord and tolerance prevails among the two communities.
Synonyms
harmony,
accord,
peace,
agreement,
concert,
friendship,
consensus,
goodwill,
unison,
good understanding,
rapport,
unanimity,
amity (formal),
consonance
in the sense of harmony
Definition
a state of peaceful agreement and cooperation
a future in which humans live in harmony with nature