cohere: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal, academic, technical
Quick answer
What does “cohere” mean?
to stick together.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to stick together; to be united or connected in a logical or consistent way
to form a unified whole; to be consistent and logically connected; to hold together as parts of a mass
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Slightly more common in British academic writing.
Connotations
Both varieties carry formal, intellectual connotations.
Frequency
Low-frequency in both, but appears in academic, philosophical, and technical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “cohere” in a Sentence
[subject] coheres[subject] coheres with [object][subject] fails to cohereVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cohere” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The various plot strands didn't quite cohere.
- For a society to function, its values must cohere.
American English
- The proposal's sections need to cohere better.
- Under pressure, the group cohered into an effective unit.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in strategy discussions: 'The new marketing plan needs to cohere with our brand values.'
Academic
Common in philosophy, linguistics, and literary analysis: 'The essay's various points cohere around a central thesis.'
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation; might appear in discussions about group dynamics: 'The team finally cohered after the workshop.'
Technical
Used in physics (cohesive forces) and materials science: 'The particles cohere under pressure.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cohere”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cohere”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cohere”
- Using it transitively (✗'He cohered the team' → ✓'The team cohered').
- Confusing with 'cohesive' (adjective) or 'coherence' (noun).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's a low-frequency, formal word used primarily in academic, technical, or literary contexts.
No, it's an intransitive verb. You cannot 'cohere' something; things cohere (on their own or with each other).
'Cohere' is the verb (the action of sticking together). 'Cohesive' is the adjective describing something that has the quality of sticking together.
Yes, the noun is 'coherence' (the state of cohering) or 'cohesion' (the action or fact of cohering).
to stick together.
Cohere is usually formal, academic, technical in register.
Cohere: in British English it is pronounced /kəʊˈhɪə/, and in American English it is pronounced /koʊˈhɪr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “cohere into a whole”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'co-' (together) + 'here' (in this place) → things coming together here to form one unit.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDEAS ARE OBJECTS THAT STICK TOGETHER
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'cohere' correctly?