cohesive
koh-HEE-siv
/koʊˈhiːsɪv/
Characterized by sticking together or forming a unified, logical whole.
In interior design, a 'cohesive' look means that all elements—colors, furniture styles, and textures—work together harmoniously rather than competing or clashing.
The story behind the word. The word comes from the Latin 'cohaerere,' combining 'co-' (together) and 'haerere' (to stick). It is the exact same root that gives us 'cohere' and 'coherent.' In design, it describes elements that mentally 'stick together' to make sense.
Word relationships
- unified: Unified means brought together as one, while cohesive emphasizes the internal strength and harmony that keeps those parts sticking together.
- harmonious: Harmonious emphasizes the pleasing, peaceful nature of the combination, whereas cohesive emphasizes the logical and structural unity.
- fragmented: Fragmented describes something broken into separate, uncoordinated pieces.
- disjointed: Disjointed describes elements that are poorly connected and fail to make sense together.
Commonly confused with
- adhesive: Adhesive is a substance like glue that physically sticks things together, while cohesive describes things that naturally cling together to form a unified concept.
Word family
- cohesion (noun): The action or state of sticking together tightly.
- cohesively (adverb): In a way that forms a unified and logical whole.
Collocations
- cohesive design
- cohesive look
- cohesive whole
- cohesive theme
Example sentences
- "By repeating the same light oak wood throughout the kitchen and living room, the designer created a cohesive flow." Evaluating a home's design flow
- "The room lacked a cohesive theme, featuring a chaotic mix of modern plastic chairs, antique rugs, and tropical wallpaper." Critiquing an uncoordinated room
Memory hook
Like adhesive tape, things that are cohesive stick together beautifully to form a single unit. Sticking together as one.
When not to use
Do not use 'cohesive' to describe a single, isolated object; it must describe a collection of different parts that fit together.
Fun facts
- In physics, 'cohesion' refers to the intermolecular attraction between like molecules, which is why water forms round droplets on a surface.
Related words
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