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Synonyms

consecutive

American  
[kuhn-sek-yuh-tiv] / kənˈsɛk yə tɪv /

adjective

  1. following one another in uninterrupted succession or order; successive.

    six consecutive numbers, such as 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.

    Synonyms:
    continuous
  2. marked by logical sequence.

  3. Grammar. expressing consequence or result.

    a consecutive clause.


consecutive British  
/ kənˈsɛkjʊtɪv /

adjective

  1. (of a narrative, account, etc) following chronological sequence

  2. following one another without interruption; successive

  3. characterized by logical sequence

  4. music another word for parallel

  5. grammar expressing consequence or result

    consecutive clauses

"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

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of consecutive

First recorded in 1605–15; consecut(ion) + -ive

Explanation

If things are consecutive, they happen one after the other with no break. If there are five consecutive snowstorms on five consecutive days, you'll have to shovel your way out on day six. Consecutive comes from the Latin consecutus, meaning "following closely" with no gap. Just like those snowstorms — one storm happened each day, back to back, for five days in a row. Consecutive numbers also follow each other, or advance in the right order. For example, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 are consecutive numbers. You should number the pages on a term paper to keep them consecutive so the teacher doesn't get confused.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing consecutive

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But if Nvidia reports a second consecutive down quarter, it would reinforce the idea that the buybacks tailwind is weakening, not just for big tech but for the market as a whole.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

For fiscal fourth quarter ending in March, earnings surpassed Wall Street expectations, and the company notched its 17th consecutive quarter of record revenue, driven by subscription sales growth of 24%.

From Barron's • May 19, 2026

A heatwave in the UK is defined by the Met Office as at least three consecutive days with daily maximum temperatures exceeding a county-specific threshold, reflecting unusually hot weather for the time of year.

From BBC • May 19, 2026

In a note published Tuesday, the Barclays team, led by equity strategist Rex Feng, said that U.S. equity funds saw net new inflows for the last seven consecutive weeks totaling $70 billion.

From MarketWatch • May 19, 2026

There’s the classically beautiful brother and sister from District 1 who were victors in consecutive years when I was little.

From "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins

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