C1 noun Formal

assent

/əˈsɛnt/

Assent is the formal expression of agreement or approval, typically given after careful consideration or by someone in a position of authority. It implies a voluntary acceptance of a proposal, opinion, or legal document.

Examples

3 of 5
1

I asked my parents for their assent before booking the expensive trip.

I asked my parents for their agreement before I booked the costly journey.

2

The director signaled her assent with a slight nod of the head.

The manager showed her formal approval by moving her head slightly.

3

He gave a quick nod of assent when I suggested we leave early.

He quickly agreed with a nod when I proposed going home soon.

Word Family

Noun
assent
Verb
assent
Adjective
assentient
Related
assenter
💡

Memory Tip

Think of the double 'S' in 'assent' as standing for 'Saying yes.' Compare this to the 'C' in 'ascent' which stands for 'Climbing.'

Quick Quiz

The board of directors finally gave their ______ to the new environmental policy.

Correct!

The correct answer is: assent

Examples

1

I asked my parents for their assent before booking the expensive trip.

everyday

I asked my parents for their agreement before I booked the costly journey.

2

The director signaled her assent with a slight nod of the head.

formal

The manager showed her formal approval by moving her head slightly.

3

He gave a quick nod of assent when I suggested we leave early.

informal

He quickly agreed with a nod when I proposed going home soon.

4

The theory gained general assent among the scientific community after the trial results.

academic

The idea received widespread acceptance from scientists following the experiment.

5

The merger cannot proceed without the shareholders' formal assent.

business

The joining of the two companies is not possible without the official approval of the owners.

Word Family

Noun
assent
Verb
assent
Adjective
assentient
Related
assenter

Common Collocations

give one's assent to provide formal agreement
nod of assent a physical gesture indicating agreement
royal assent the formal approval of a bill by a monarch
mutual assent agreement by both parties involved
withhold assent to refuse to give agreement

Common Phrases

give your assent

to formally agree to something

by common assent

agreed upon by everyone in a group

Royal Assent

the final stage of a bill becoming law in a monarchy

Often Confused With

assent vs ascent

Ascent refers to the act of climbing or rising upward, while assent refers to agreement.

assent vs consent

Consent often implies permission for an action, whereas assent focuses on agreement with an idea or proposal.

📝

Usage Notes

Assent is a formal term predominantly used in legal, political, or professional contexts. It is often used as an uncountable noun but can be used with the preposition 'to' when functioning as a verb.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

The most common mistake is misspelling the word as 'ascent' when meaning agreement. Learners also sometimes use it in overly casual situations where 'yes' or 'agreement' would be more natural.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the double 'S' in 'assent' as standing for 'Saying yes.' Compare this to the 'C' in 'ascent' which stands for 'Climbing.'

📖

Word Origin

From the Latin 'assentire', composed of 'ad-' (to) and 'sentire' (to feel or think).

Grammar Patterns

uncountable noun follows verbs like 'give', 'signal', or 'withhold' verb form: assent to (+ object)
🌍

Cultural Context

In the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms, 'Royal Assent' is the constitutional process by which the monarch formally approves an act of legislature.

Quick Quiz

The board of directors finally gave their ______ to the new environmental policy.

Correct!

The correct answer is: assent

Related Words

pale

A1

Describes something that has very little color or is much lighter than usual. It is often used to describe a person's face when they are ill or a color that is mixed with a lot of white.

lung

A1

The lungs are two organs inside your chest that you use to breathe. They bring oxygen into your body and remove carbon dioxide when you breathe out.

tropical

A1

Relating to the hot regions of the Earth near the equator. It describes weather that is very warm and wet, or plants and animals that come from these areas.

trader

A1

A trader is a person whose job is to buy and sell goods, stocks, or other items for profit. They can work in a small local market or on large international financial exchanges.

indoor

A1

Describes something that is located, happens, or is used inside a building rather than outside. It is an adjective used before a noun to talk about activities or objects protected from the weather.

threshold

A1

A threshold is the physical area at the bottom of a doorway that you step over to enter a room or building. It also refers to the level or point at which something starts to happen or changes.

tribute

A1

A tribute is something that you say, do, or give to show your respect and admiration for someone. It is often a public act used to honor a person's life, work, or memory.

elder

A1

Used to describe a person who is older than another, especially within a family. It is also used to refer to people who have a high status or more experience because of their age.

russian

A1

Relating to Russia, its people, its language, or its culture. It describes things that come from or are connected to the largest country in the world.

southeastern

A1

Located in or coming from the direction between south and east. It describes a place, a region, or a wind that is in the corner between the bottom and the right on a map.

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Start learning languages for free

Start Learning Free