Coherence
/koʊˈhɪərəns/
Definitions
The quality of being logical and consistent; the state of forming a unified whole.
/koʊˈhɪərəns/
Logical connection and consistency
The speech lacked coherence, jumping from one topic to another without any logical connection.
💡 Simply: Imagine a puzzle; coherence is when all the pieces fit together perfectly, making a clear picture. A story with coherence flows smoothly, every part connecting to the next.
👶 For kids: When things fit together nicely and make sense.
More Examples
There was a remarkable coherence in the team's performance.
How It's Used
"The essay lacked coherence; its arguments were disjointed and lacked a clear connection."
"The philosopher explored the coherence of different belief systems."
From Latin *cohaerēre, from co- + haerēre "to stick, cling". The sense evolved from physical sticking to logical connection.
The word's usage has expanded from primarily philosophical contexts to broader applications in areas like writing and communication.
Memory tip
Think of 'co' (together) and 'here' (present); everything is logically together and present.
Word Origin
"to stick together, to cling"