assent
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 5I asked my parents for their assent before booking the expensive trip.
I asked my parents for their agreement before I booked the costly journey.
The director signaled her assent with a slight nod of the head.
The manager showed her formal approval by moving her head slightly.
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.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
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
I asked my parents for their assent before booking the expensive trip.
everydayI asked my parents for their agreement before I booked the costly journey.
The director signaled her assent with a slight nod of the head.
formalThe manager showed her formal approval by moving her head slightly.
He gave a quick nod of assent when I suggested we leave early.
informalHe quickly agreed with a nod when I proposed going home soon.
The theory gained general assent among the scientific community after the trial results.
academicThe idea received widespread acceptance from scientists following the experiment.
The merger cannot proceed without the shareholders' formal assent.
businessThe joining of the two companies is not possible without the official approval of the owners.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
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
Ascent refers to the act of climbing or rising upward, while assent refers to agreement.
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
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
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