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.

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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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Synonym Usage

See effect. See importance.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonconsequence
  noun
• superconsequence
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• 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 consequence was that around 10% of orforglipron participants discontinued treatment due to adverse effects.

From Science Daily • Jul. 8, 2026

An unintended consequence of the rule in recent years was that countries that were late in paying, or didn’t pay at all, would get refunds.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 1, 2026

Eamon believes there was no action as a consequence of his parents' warning.

From BBC • Jun. 29, 2026

Discovery is on the verge of a historic and potentially catastrophic merger, there’s essentially no real consequence in “Supergirl” striking out.

From Salon • Jun. 27, 2026

“It is of no consequence, your holy…” the nagual began.

From "Summer of the Mariposas" by Guadalupe García McCall

Related Words

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