Definition
Something coherent hangs together: its parts connect logically and form a clear, unified whole. A coherent essay moves from point to point without contradiction; a coherent policy has all its pieces pulling in the same direction. Applied to a person, it means able to speak clearly and rationally — someone in shock may be 'too dazed to be coherent'. The root is the Latin cohaerere, 'to stick together', the same root as 'cohesion'.
Examples
- Her essay presents a coherent argument supported by carefully chosen evidence.
- After the accident he was too shaken to give a coherent account of what happened.
- Critics say the government has failed to offer a coherent energy policy.
Synonyms
logical · consistent · lucid · rational · structured
In TOEFL & IELTS
This word is part of the exam itself: IELTS Writing and Speaking are scored partly on 'Coherence and Cohesion', and TOEFL rubrics reward 'coherent, well-organized' responses. Knowing what examiners mean by coherence — clear progression, linked ideas, no contradictions — is as valuable as knowing the word. It also appears in reading passages about theories and arguments.