subsequent

American  

[suhb-si-kwuhnt] / ˈsʌb sɪ kwənt /

adjective

1. occurring or coming later or after (often followed byto ).

   subsequent events;

   Subsequent to their arrival in Chicago, they bought a new car.

2. following in order or succession; succeeding.

   a subsequent section in a treaty.

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subsequent British  

/ ˈsʌbsɪkwənt /

adjective

1. occurring after; succeeding

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Other Word Forms

• subsequentness
  noun
• subsequently
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of subsequent

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Latin subsequent-, stem of subsequēns “following close behind,” present participle of subsequī “to follow close behind,” equivalent to sub- sub- + sequ(ī) “to follow”

Explanation

For something that comes after something else in time or order, choose the adjective subsequent. If the entire class fails an exam, the teacher will hopefully make subsequent ones a little easier. Subsequent comes from the Latin subsequi "to follow closely" and means just that - following or coming after. If you say, "in 1990 and subsequent years," it includes 1990, whereas "the years subsequent to 1990" do not include it. When you mention a car crash and subsequent traffic jam or a scandal and subsequent investigation, one follows the other in order but a cause and effect relationship is implied too.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

subsequent

There is very little correlation between what any valuation metric reads at any point in time and what subsequent one-year market performance is.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 17, 2026

Constitution, and subsequent American practice that it reaches corruption in office for the personal gain of oneself or one’s family, serious criminality, and direct violations of significant provisions of the Constitution.

From Slate ● Aug. 17, 2026

Later that year, a 7.5-magnitude quake and a subsequent tsunami in Palu on Sulawesi island left more than 4,300 people dead or missing.

From Barron's ● Aug. 15, 2026

With the completion of its central tower—more than 140 years after the project began—the Barcelona basilica’s spectacular combination of the architect’s unique style and the contributions of subsequent artists is clearer than ever.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

At every change in rock strata certain species of fossils disappeared while others carried on into subsequent levels.

From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson

Related Words

• consecutive
• consequent
• ensuing
• following
• successive