Dictionary
consent
to allow someone to do something
She consented to a police search.
to agree to do something
The board of directors did not consent to her appointment.
Common Mistakes
- Assent is close in meaning to consent, but assent implies a more active, voluntary and enthusiastic agreement, than consent, which can be reluctant.
Phrase Bank
- The landlord refused to consent to an extension of the lease (=legal agreement to use property for a period of time).
- The seller consented to the buyer's request to delay payment.
- A patient must consent to certain types of medical treatment.
- The company consented to the use of their name on the website.
Additional Notes
- The related word consensus means the shared opinion of three or more parties.
- A consent decree in AmE is called an agreed verdict in BrE.