consequence

American  

[kon-si-kwens, -kwuhns] / ˈkɒn sɪˌkwɛns, -kwəns /

noun

1. the effect, result, or outcome of something occurring earlier.

   The accident was the consequence of reckless driving.

   Synonyms:

   sequel, upshot, issue, outcome

   Antonyms:

   cause

2. an act or instance of following something as an effect, result, or outcome.

3. the conclusion reached by a line of reasoning; inference.

4. importance or significance.

   a matter of no consequence.

   Synonyms:

   weight, moment

5. importance in rank or position; distinction.

   a man of great consequence in art.

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idioms

1. in consequence of, as a result of; on account of.

   A trial was held in consequence of the investigation.

2. in consequence, consequently; as a result; hence.

   He withdrew from the world, and in consequence was forgotten.

consequence British  

/ ˈkɒnsɪkwəns /

noun

1. a result or effect of some previous occurrence

2. an unpleasant result (esp in the phrase take the consequences )

3. significance or importance

   it's of no consequence

   a man of consequence

4. logic

   1. a conclusion reached by reasoning

   2. the conclusion of an argument

   3. the relations between the conclusion and the premises of a valid argument

5. the relation between an effect and its cause

6. as a result

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consequence More Idioms  

1. see in consequence; of consequence.

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Synonym Usage

See effect. See importance.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• superconsequence
  noun
• nonconsequence
  noun

Etymology

Origin of consequence

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English (from Anglo-French ), from Latin consequentia. See consequent, -ence

Explanation

Things in a sequence come one after another, as in a number sequence of 1, 2, 3, 4. A consequence comes after, or as a result of something you do, for example, "He was given a traffic ticket as a consequence of running the red light." A consequence is a "result" or "conclusion," and the Latin sequī, "to follow," is part of its history. Most actions and acts of nature have a consequence that follows as a result. When people do something wrong, like rob a bank, the consequence will probably be prison time. If an organization works for good and finds a cure for cancer, on the other hand, people will get better as a consequence. When something occurs in nature, like a tornado touching down, destruction might be the consequence.

Example Sentences

“Momentum has become crowded. It’s captured the imagination of the retail community and the institutional community, and, as a consequence of that, you end up with a very crowded set of trades,” he said.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 10, 2026

Taken together, the researchers say these findings suggest that this metabolic abnormality may actively contribute to Alzheimer's disease rather than simply occur as a consequence of it.

From Science Daily • Jun. 10, 2026

As a consequence, they have less incentive to hold U.S.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

According to Soto, who is expecting her third child, the fact that her husband was married to an American citizen and had two children who were also citizens was of no consequence.

From Salon • May 30, 2026

Drumming on chairs might have been of no special consequence in a Bethlehem school where little boys acted up whenever they took a mind.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

Related Words

• aftereffect
• aftermath
• effect
• fallout
• issue
• reaction
• repercussion