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.