result

American  

[ri-zuhlt] / rɪˈzʌlt /

verb (used without object)

1. to spring, arise, or proceed as a consequence of actions, circumstances, premises, etc.; be the outcome.

   Synonyms:

   issue, come, flow

2. to terminate or end in a specified manner or thing.

   Synonyms:

   eventuate, resolve

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noun

1. something that happens as a consequence; outcome.

   Synonyms:

   fruit, product, end, issue, conclusion

   Antonyms:

   cause

2. Mathematics. a quantity, expression, etc., obtained by calculation.

3. Often results. a desirable or beneficial consequence, outcome, or effect.

   We had definite results within weeks.

idioms

1. get results, to obtain a notable or successful result or response; be effective.

result British  

/ rɪˈzʌlt /

noun

1. something that ensues from an action, policy, course of events, etc; outcome; consequence

2. a number, quantity, or value obtained by solving a mathematical problem

3. a decision of a legislative body

4. (often plural) the final score or outcome of a sporting contest

5. a favourable result, esp a victory or success

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verb

1. (often foll by from) to be the outcome or consequence (of)

2. (foll by in) to issue or terminate (in a specified way, state, etc); end

   to result in tragedy

3. property law (of an undisposed or partially disposed of interest in land) to revert to a former owner when the prior interests come to an end

Related Words

See follow. See effect.

Etymology

Origin of result

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English resulten (verb) from Anglo-Latin resultāre “to arise as a consequence” ( Latin: “to spring back, rebound”), equivalent to re- re- + -sultāre, combining form of saltāre “to dance” (frequentative of salīre “to leap, spring”)

Explanation

A result is something that occurs as a consequence of some action. The result of your practical joke is a puddle of water on the floor and a lump on your cousin's head where the bucket hit him. A result is also the answer to some problem, especially one obtained by calculation or experimentation. The result you get for a math problem will be wrong if you add when you should multiply. The verb result means to follow as an outcome of some action. If you forget to book a room in advance, it will result in your having to stay at the hotel by the airport instead of one by the beach.

Example Sentences

If Chinese manufacturers can make robots cheap enough, useful enough and scalable enough, the result could be a new phase in China’s manufacturing rise: not just cheaper Chinese products, but cheaper Chinese production itself.

From MarketWatch • May 27, 2026

The result, she said, is that consumers may internalize economic anxiety more intensely than they did during earlier periods of high inflation.

From Barron's • May 27, 2026

Investors underestimate the degree of risk they face as a result of the conflict in the Middle East and rising government debts, the European Central Bank said Wednesday.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

As a result of the official’s efforts, the Chrisleys were forced to “incur substantial personal and financial hardship,” the suit said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2026

This was the result of the Swanburne hair poultice that was applied on a regular basis, to repel lice and fleas and encourage healthy scalps, according to school policy.

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

• appear
• arise
• come from
• culminate
• derive
• emanate
• emerge
• end
• ensue
• follow
• grow
• occur
• proceed
• produce
• rise
• stem