consecutive
Americanadjective
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following one another in uninterrupted succession or order; successive.
six consecutive numbers, such as 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
- Synonyms:
- continuous
-
marked by logical sequence.
-
Grammar. expressing consequence or result.
a consecutive clause.
adjective
-
(of a narrative, account, etc) following chronological sequence
-
following one another without interruption; successive
-
characterized by logical sequence
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music another word for parallel
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grammar expressing consequence or result
consecutive clauses
Other Word Forms
Derived 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.
Vocabulary lists containing consecutive
Essential Academic Vocabulary for High School Students, List 2
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List 4
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ACT Vocabulary List
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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.
Donald has captained the European team to two consecutive wins in the Ryder Cup and will be the first skipper to ever win three in a row if they are victorious in Ireland next year.
From BBC • Jun. 12, 2026
The Knicks had won 13 consecutive games to reach the NBA Finals, the second-longest unbeaten playoff run in league history.
From Salon • Jun. 11, 2026
The drop in first-quarter GDP marked the second consecutive quarterly contraction, and the third in four quarters, triggering a debate about whether Canada is in a recession.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026
The flagpole phase began with consecutive doji candles on March 12 and 13, signaling indecision before momentum resumed.
From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026
Rather than argue with Raoul’s construct of reality, I just tell him that I’m not allowed to talk to people with too many consecutive vowels in their name.
From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
