consequence

American  

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

noun

consequences plural

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.

---

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

---

consequence More Idioms  

1. see in consequence; of consequence.

---

Synonym Usage

See effect. See importance.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• superconsequence
  noun
• nonconsequence
  noun

Inflected Forms

noun

• consequences
  plural

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

The Constitution is unambiguous: “No money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law.”

From Barron's • Oct. 6, 2025

The person was "currently well and was admitted to a High Consequence Infectious Disease unit," it said.

From BBC • Jan. 27, 2025

The Constitution’s appropriations clause provides that “no Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law.”

From Slate • Oct. 3, 2023

The music site Consequence of Sound announced last month that one of its biggest regrets was giving her 2017 album, “Reputation,” a D+ and “screwing up the Metacritic score.”

From New York Times • Oct. 19, 2022

A Traveller is sometimes thoroughly and unavoidably wet with Mud; the ill Consequence of which is often inconsiderable, provided he changes his Cloaths immediately, when he sets up.

From Advice to the people in general, with regard to their health by Tissot, S. A. D. (Samuel Auguste David)

Related Words

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