consequential

[ kon-si-kwen-shuhl ]
See synonyms for consequential on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. following as an effect, result, or outcome; resultant; consequent.

  2. following as a logical conclusion or inference; logically consistent.

  1. of significance or importance: His writings offer insight into his personality, opinions, and strengths, and show early evidence of the consequential man he would become.

  2. having important effects or results: Being a lawyer, I knew that a consequential decision should not depend on an informal phone conversation.

  3. Archaic. self-important; pompous.

Origin of consequential

1
First recorded in 1620–30; from Latin consequenti(a) “sequence (of events), logical sequence” + -al adjective suffix; see consequence, -al1

Other words from consequential

  • con·se·quen·ti·al·i·ty [kon-si-kwen-shee-al-i-tee], /ˌkɒn sɪˌkwɛn ʃiˈæl ɪ ti/, con·se·quen·tial·ness, noun
  • con·se·quen·tial·ly, adverb
  • non·con·se·quen·tial, adjective
  • non·con·se·quen·tial·ly, adverb
  • non·con·se·quen·tial·ness, noun
  • non·con·se·quen·ti·al·i·ty, noun
  • qua·si-con·se·quen·tial, adjective
  • qua·si-con·se·quen·tial·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use consequential in a sentence

  • It's safe to assume AIPAC is on board and, perhaps most consequentially, Netanyahu too.

  • "I'm agwine to stan betwixt yu und de jedge, dats who," replied Clarissa consequentially.

    The Broken Sword | Dennison Worthington
  • "I have a consultation presently," he said, consequentially.

  • The young man swelled his scarlet breast still more consequentially.

    The Fifth Queen | Ford Madox Ford
  • "I shall take two or three negatives of this, Middlebrook," he observed, consequentially.

    Ravensdene Court | J. S. (Joseph Smith) Fletcher
  • "I am to wait here for Serjeant Gaythorn," observed the little damsel somewhat consequentially.

    Under the Storm | Charlotte M. Yonge

British Dictionary definitions for consequential

consequential

/ (ˌkɒnsɪˈkwɛnʃəl) /


adjective
  1. important or significant

  2. self-important; conceited

  1. following as a consequence; resultant, esp indirectly: consequential loss

usage For consequential

Although both consequential and consequent can refer to something which happens as the result of something else, consequent is more common in this sense in modern English: the new measures were put into effect, and the consequent protest led to the dismissal of those responsible

Derived forms of consequential

  • consequentiality or consequentialness, noun
  • consequentially, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012