- Today's Word
Congruity
kuhn-GROO-uh-tee
Definition
- (noun) A state of agreement, harmony, or logical consistency.
Example
There was an obvious congruity between his words and actions.
Fun Fact
Congruity is a crucial concept in mathematics, where it describes figures that match perfectly. But it extends far beyond geometry—literature, philosophy, and psychology all explore the idea that harmony and alignment create order and understanding. Aristotle’s theory of virtue ethics is based on congruity between beliefs and actions, emphasizing that a virtuous life requires consistency between what we say and what we do.
(noun) The range of one’s knowledge, understanding, or awareness.
Quantum physics lies far beyond my ken, no matter how many articles I read.
Ken comes from Old English cennan, meaning “to know” or “to make known,” and is closely related to Middle English and Scots usage where it meant knowledge, perception, or recognition. Over time, the word narrowed to describe the limits of what someone knows or understands, which is why it’s often used today in phrases like “beyond my ken.”