3 syllables: Con, sen, sus. Stress on sen.
kuhn-SEN-suhs
/kəˈnsɛnsəs/
Consensus is pronounced kuhn-SEN-suhs (/kəˈnsɛnsəs/). It has three syllables (Con-sen-sus), with the stress on "sen". Consensus is a noun meaning a general agreement among a group, reached after discussion or debate. It refers to a shared viewpoint or conclusion that reflects the common stance of members, rather than a single authoritative decision. It often implies broad support or acceptability across stakeholders, rather than unanimity.
nounConsensus is a noun meaning a general agreement among a group, reached after discussion or debate. It refers to a shared viewpoint or conclusion that reflects the common stance of members, rather than a single authoritative decision. It often implies broad support or acceptability across stakeholders, rather than unanimity.
"The committee reached a consensus after hours of dialogue."
"There is broad consensus that the policy should be implemented next quarter."
"Despite some disagreements, there is a growing consensus on the key priorities."
Pronounce it as kən-SEN-səs (stress on the second syllable). IPA: US kənˈsen.səs; UK kənˈsen.səs; AU kənˈsen.səs. Tip: start with a neutral schwa, then a clear SEN, then a soft, unstressed səs ending. The emphasis sits on the middle syllable, which carries the main vowel quality /e/ like ‘sen’ in ‘sentence.’ Practice saying it slowly: kuhn-SEN-suhs, then natural speed.
Common errors include stressing the first syllable (KON-sensus) or lumping it into a single-syllable word. Another pitfall is pronouncing the middle vowel as /i/ (sen) or misplacing the /s/ sequence (sen-sus). Correct by stressing the second syllable and keeping the final schwa light and quick: /kənˈsen.səs/. Practice with minimal pairs like ‘consent’ vs ‘consensus’ to feel the contrast.
In US and UK, the middle syllable carries the primary stress: /kənˈsen.səs/. US often has a slightly longer /ˈsen/ with a clearer /s/ between vowels, while UK may exhibit a crisper /s/ and a shorter final /sə/; Australian accents align closely with non-rhotic tendencies but still keep the middle stress. All share the /kən/ onset and final /səs/.
The challenge lies in the stress pattern alternating with three syllables, and the sequence /nˈsɛn/ followed by /səs/ can cause vowel reduction and consonant cluster confusion. The initial unstressed schwa /kən/ blends into the stressed /ˈsen/; many speakers nasalize the middle /n/ or reduce the final /əs/ into /s/. Paying attention to syllable boundaries helps articulation.
A unique feature is the contrast between the stressed central syllable /ˈsen/ and the surrounding unstressed schwas, which creates a distinct rhythm: kon-SEN-sus. The second syllable hosts the vowel /e/ as in ‘bed,’ while the final syllable uses a light /əs/ reducing to /s/ in rapid speech. Emphasizing the middle syllable clarifies meaning in fast discourse.
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Consensus comes from the Latin word consensus, from consent- ‘to agree,’ from the verb con- ‘together’ + sentire ‘to feel, perceive, think.’ The late Latin term consensus meant ‘agreement, harmony’ and was adopted into English in the 15th century to denote a general agreement among people or groups. The sense broadened to include collective attitudes or opinions, especially in governance, committees, and organizational settings. Over time, consensus has been used in political philosophy (consensus decision-making), business (stakeholder consensus), and social movements to describe situations where a broad, though not necessarily universal, agreement underpins action. The term’s nuance often emphasizes collaboration, shared understanding, and the absence of serious objection, rather than formal majority rule. Today, consensus is a common objective in deliberative processes and is closely associated with democratic and participatory decision-making.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Consensus" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Consensus"
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