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

As a result, the exchanged state is no longer equivalent to the original one.

From Science Daily • May 9, 2026

The result was a selloff in both stocks and bonds that hammered investors.

From MarketWatch • May 9, 2026

The result: On weekends where box-office revenue increased, tipping rates tended to decrease.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 9, 2026

The police activity was the result of a two-month operation targeting a group of riders who police said took over city streets and generally disrupted public safety across the San Francisco Bay Area.

From Los Angeles Times • May 9, 2026

“And I’m sorry I didn’t choose to solve our conflict in a peaceful and constructive way that would result in...”

From "Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody" by Patrick Ness

Related Words

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