consensus
gb/kənsˈɛnsəs/ us/kənsˈɛnsəs/
B2
English
~ 7300
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
entity
1
general agreement in a group
A situation where most people in a group agree about something.
Usage pattern:
[group] reach a consensus on [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think 'consensus' means a vote or a rule. It actually describes the shared agreement itself, not the process. Many learners also overuse 'consensus of opinion', which is usually just written as 'consensus'. In addition, they may forget the article in countable uses (e.g. saying 'we reached consensus' is fine in formal style, but 'we reached a consensus' is more common in everyday English).
Synonyms
agreement (More general; does not always suggest many people or a long process to get there.)
|
unity (Emphasizes people being joined together, not only their shared opinion.)
|
harmony (Stresses peace and lack of conflict, not just a shared decision.)
Antonyms
disagreement (Direct opposite; people do not share the same opinion.)
|
division (Highlights that the group is split into different sides instead of agreeing.)
|
conflict (Focuses on active fighting or arguing rather than shared agreement.)
Collocations
reach a consensus
|build consensus
|general consensus
|broad consensus
|emerging consensus
|consensus view
Themes
communication
|politics
|business
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- After several hours of discussion, the committee finally reached a consensus on the budget cuts.
- There is a broad consensus that the company needs to invest more in renewable energy.
- The team failed to reach a consensus about who should lead the project.
- By the end of the workshop, an emerging consensus had formed around the new strategy.
- The chairperson summed up the consensus of the meeting in a short closing statement.
Learner examples
- The group talked for a long time before they reached a consensus.
- There is a general consensus that the new rules are fair.
- We could not find a consensus on where to go for lunch.
- In our class, the consensus is that the exam was difficult.
- The manager wants to build consensus before making a big change.
Noun
technical
C1
entity
2
widely accepted expert opinion
The view that most experts in a subject accept as true or correct.
Usage pattern:
the consensus among [experts/group] is that [clause]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes treat 'scientific consensus' as if it were a simple opinion or a vote by the public. In this sense, it refers specifically to the shared judgment of specialists who work in that field. They may also say '*science consensus' instead of the correct 'scientific consensus'.
Synonyms
mainstream view (Less formal; suggests what most people or experts think, without emphasizing careful evaluation.)
|
orthodoxy (More formal and critical; often used when questioning or challenging the accepted view.)
Antonyms
fringe theory (An idea held by very few experts, outside the accepted consensus.)
|
dissent (Refers to disagreement with the expert consensus, especially by a minority of experts.)
Collocations
scientific consensus
|medical consensus
|expert consensus
|international consensus
|consensus statement
Themes
science
|medicine
|academia
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- There is a strong scientific consensus that human activity is driving climate change.
- Current medical consensus recommends this treatment only for high‑risk patients.
- The report reflects the international consensus on how to regulate artificial intelligence.
- While some researchers disagree, the consensus among economists is that inflation will slow next year.
- New data has led to a shift in consensus regarding the safety of the drug.
Learner examples
- The scientific consensus is that smoking is very harmful.
- There is now a medical consensus on how to treat this disease.
- The consensus among experts is that the virus started in animals.
- Many students trust the expert consensus on climate change.
- Over time, new studies can change the scientific consensus.
Grammar
Dictionary form
consensus
IPA
GB/kənsˈɛnsəs/
US/kənsˈɛnsəs/
Syllables & stress
con - sensus (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (sensus)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: consensus
- Plural: consensuses
Word family
Expressions
build consensus
1/bˈɪld kənsˈɛnsəs/
fixed phrase
create agreement within a group
To slowly get more people in a group to agree with an idea or plan.
Examples
- The new leader is trying to build consensus around the reform plan.
- Good managers spend time building consensus before making big changes.
by consensus
1/bˈaɪ kənsˈɛnsəs/
fixed phrase
decide without any objections
When a group decides something because no one objects, not by voting or using force.
Examples
- The motion was adopted by consensus, without a formal vote.
- The committee agreed to proceed by consensus rather than majority rule.
consensus decision
1/kənsˈɛnsəs dɪsˈɪʒən/
fixed phrase
formal
decision all members accept
A decision that everyone in the group agrees to or accepts.
Examples
- The council reached a consensus decision to delay the project.
- They prefer consensus decisions to simple majority votes.
consensus opinion
1/kənsˈɛnsəs əpˈɪnjən/
fixed phrase
formal
opinion reflecting group agreement
An opinion that shows what the group as a whole thinks.
Examples
- Her report reflects the consensus opinion of the review panel.
- The article summarizes the consensus opinion on the causes of the crisis.
consensus view
1/kənsˈɛnsəs vjˈu/
fixed phrase
formal
dominant shared opinion
The main opinion that most people in a group share.
Examples
- This theory challenges the consensus view in modern economics.
- The consensus view among historians has changed over the last decade.
emerging consensus
1/ɪmˈɚd͡ʒɪŋ kənsˈɛnsəs/
fixed phrase
formal
shared view that is forming
A new shared opinion that more and more people in a group are starting to agree with.
Examples
- There is an emerging consensus that the law needs to be updated.
- An emerging consensus can be seen in recent policy papers.
general consensus
1/d͡ʒˈɛnɚəl kənsˈɛnsəs/
fixed phrase
view held by most people
The opinion that most people in a group have.
Examples
- The general consensus is that housing prices will continue to rise.
- There is a general consensus that the event was well organized.
reach a consensus
1/ɹˈit͡ʃ ə kənsˈɛnsəs/
fixed phrase
arrive at a shared agreement
To finally agree as a group after talking or discussing.
Examples
- The board reached a consensus after three rounds of negotiations.
- We still need to reach a consensus before we can announce the decision.
scientific consensus
1/sˌaɪəntˈɪfɪk kənsˈɛnsəs/
fixed phrase
technical
widely accepted view in science
The view that most scientists accept as true based on research and evidence.
Examples
- There is a strong scientific consensus that vaccines are safe and effective.
- Denying the scientific consensus on climate change is not supported by the data.
the consensus is that
1/ðə kənsˈɛnsəs ˈɪz ðˈæt/
fixed phrase
introduce the shared opinion
Used to say what most people think or agree is true.
Examples
- The consensus is that the policy needs to be revised.
- Among analysts, the consensus is that interest rates will fall next year.