consequence

American  

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

noun

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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Related Words

See effect. See importance.

Other Word Forms

• nonconsequence
  noun
• superconsequence
  noun

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

This collapse of commerce is a consequence of Iran’s ability to harass civilian tankers so much that shipping companies no longer view the journey as worth the cost.

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026

Whether spying is deemed enough for the panel to think it has a significant consequence over promotion will be key.

From BBC • May 19, 2026

This is the structural consequence of an economy that became extraordinarily productive at making goods but not at raising children or treating the sick.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026

Reviews published afterward have also described mitochondrial failure as an early and potentially central feature of Alzheimer's biology, not merely a late consequence of brain damage.

From Science Daily • May 16, 2026

This was yet another consequence of turning Wall Street partnerships into public corporations: It turned them into objects of speculation.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

Related Words

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