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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Related Words

See effect. See importance.

Other Word Forms

• nonconsequence noun
• superconsequence noun

Etymology

Origin of consequence

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

Example Sentences

They are shaped by miscalculation, escalation and unintended consequences.

From BBC

He could be in a police interview room, rather than under the TV lights, and the consequences of any untruths will be much more serious.

From BBC

“There wasn’t much discussion,” he writes, “about the long-term consequences” for human beings.

From The Wall Street Journal

At the moment they do not know the long-term consequences of this pollution on the make-up of Earth's atmosphere, but it is unlikely to be good.

From BBC

Leave plenty of time to study your Medicare options, because the decision at age 65 of whether to enroll in traditional, government-run Medicare, or privately run Medicare Advantage can carry lasting consequences.

From Barron's

Related Words

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