sequel

American  

[see-kwuhl] / ˈsi kwəl /

noun

1. a literary work, movie, etc., that is complete in itself but continues the narrative of a preceding work.

2. an event or circumstance following something; subsequent course of affairs.

3. a result, consequence, or inference.

   Synonyms:

   end, outgrowth, upshot, aftermath

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sequel British  

/ ˈsiːkwəl /

noun

1. anything that follows from something else; development

2. a consequence or result

3. a novel, play, etc, that continues a previously related story

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sequel Cultural  

1. A narrative or dramatic work complete in itself but designed to follow an earlier one. Through the Looking-Glass is a sequel to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland; The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a sequel to The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

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Etymology

Origin of sequel

1375–1425; late Middle English sequel ( e ) < Latin sequēla what follows, equivalent to sequ ( ī ) to follow + -ēla noun suffix

Explanation

A sequel is a continuation or part two. The Empire Strikes Back and Toy Story 2 are sequels. Many successful movies have sequels. The most common meaning of sequel is for a book or movie that follows another, but the term can be used for just about anything that comes second. We might say of an actress who begins her career with a bang, "What will she do for a sequel?" A football team that wins a championship may have trouble with the sequel — trying to win another one next year. All sequels have a tough challenge — living up to the original.

Example Sentences

Instead of returning for the blockbuster’s sequel, Vince opts to pursue his passion project, the Pablo Escobar biopic “Medellin.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 2026

The sequel to ”The Devil Wears Prada” just had a terrific opening weekend, taking in $77 million in the U.S. and $233 million globally, according to Variety.

From MarketWatch • May 6, 2026

Audiences aren’t coming to this film solely because it’s a legacy sequel.

From Salon • May 6, 2026

The sequel sees Anne Hathaway's character return to work under tyrannical editor Miranda Priestly, portrayed again by Meryl Streep, as their fashion magazine faces an existential crisis.

From Barron's • May 3, 2026

“I check the bookstore for a sequel every time I go,” I say.

From "How to Disappear Completely" by Ali Standish

Related Words

• conclusion
• ending
• sequence
• series