congruous

IPA/ˈkɒŋ.ɡru.əs/
IPA/ˈkɑːŋ.ɡru.əs/

congruous — adjective

  • congruouspositive
  • more congruouscomparative
  • most congruoussuperlative

1. matching other facts, statements, rules, or principles so that they point to the

1.adjectiveC2
Definition

matching other facts, statements, rules, or principles so that they point to the same conclusion.

Example

The judge said Noa's story was congruous with the video from the station.

be congruous with evidence

Rania checked whether the figures in the report were congruous with last year's sales.

be congruous with figures or data

Common collocations
  • congruous with the facts
  • congruous with the evidence
  • congruous with company policy
  • perfectly congruous
Synonyms
  • consistent

    the everyday choice when facts, statements, or behaviour do not conflict

  • compatible

    often about things working well together, not specifically matching evidence

  • coherent

    stresses internal logic within one statement or argument

  • harmonious

    more often used for style, design, or sound than for factual agreement

Antonyms
  • inconsistent

    the usual opposite when facts or statements do not match

  • incongruous

    broader opposite for something that does not fit logically or socially

Grammar Patterns

be congruous with [facts, rules, or evidence]

Usage Note

Usually followed by 'with' plus evidence, rules, values, or another account. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense asks whether content matches, not whether something suits an occasion.

Common Mistakes

The report is congruous to the evidence.
The report is congruous with the evidence.
this adjective normally takes 'with' when two facts are being compared.
Her joke was congruous with the funeral.
Her joke was appropriate for the funeral.
suitability to an occasion belongs to sense 2, not this logical-matching sense.

2. fitting the tone, demands, or social expectations of a particular situation, occ

2.adjectiveC2
Definition

fitting the tone, demands, or social expectations of a particular situation, occasion, or setting.

Example

Hana chose a plain gray dress that felt congruous at the memorial service.

feel congruous at an occasion

Charlotte thought a short email was more congruous than flowers after the breakup.

more congruous than [another choice]

Common collocations
  • congruous response
  • congruous choice
  • congruous with the occasion
  • hardly congruous
Synonyms
  • appropriate

    the most common everyday word for what suits a situation

  • fitting

    slightly less formal and common for clothes, remarks, or behaviour

  • suitable

    broad and neutral, often for practical choices rather than tone

  • proper

    can sound more moral or socially strict than congruous

Antonyms
  • inappropriate

    the usual opposite when something does not suit the setting

  • unsuitable

    neutral opposite, often for practical or social mismatch

Grammar Patterns

be congruous with [a situation or response]

feel congruous at [an occasion]

Usage Note

Often used for behaviour, clothing, tone, punishment, or another choice judged against a setting. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is about appropriateness, not whether facts or principles agree.

Common Mistakes

The numbers are congruous with last year's report.
The numbers are consistent with last year's report.
matching facts belongs to sense 1; this sense judges what is suitable in context.
His suit was congruous to the ceremony.
His suit was congruous with the ceremony.
use 'with' when naming the situation it fits.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

'Congruous' is a formal word for two things fitting each other in logic, tone, or principle. 'Consistent' is the everyday choice when facts, statements, or behaviour do not conflict over time. 'Coherent' focuses more on whether one explanation or argument holds together internally. 'Compatible' usually means two things can work together, especially plans, systems, or personalities, without necessarily pointing to the same conclusion. If a witness gives the same details in both interviews, 'consistent' is clearest. If a report, a policy, and a company's public values all point in the same direction, 'congruous' sounds more exact and formal. If two software tools run smoothly together, 'compatible' is the natural choice.

congruous ↗consistent ↗coherent ↗compatible ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • be congruous with
  • seem congruous in context

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinEnglish

This adjective goes back to the Latin verb 'congruere', meaning 'to agree', 'fit', or 'come together'. English adopted it in learned writing to describe things that match in logic, style, or suitability, and it still has a formal tone today.

First known use

1580

1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1a