subsequent

American  

[suhb-si-kwuhnt] / ˈsʌb sɪ kwənt /

adjective

1. occurring or coming later or after (often followed byto ).

   subsequent events;

   Subsequent to their arrival in Chicago, they bought a new car.

2. following in order or succession; succeeding.

   a subsequent section in a treaty.

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subsequent British  

/ ˈsʌbsɪkwənt /

adjective

1. occurring after; succeeding

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Other Word Forms

• subsequently
  adverb
• subsequentness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of subsequent

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Latin subsequent-, stem of subsequēns “following close behind,” present participle of subsequī “to follow close behind,” equivalent to sub- sub- + sequ(ī) “to follow”

Explanation

For something that comes after something else in time or order, choose the adjective subsequent. If the entire class fails an exam, the teacher will hopefully make subsequent ones a little easier. Subsequent comes from the Latin subsequi "to follow closely" and means just that - following or coming after. If you say, "in 1990 and subsequent years," it includes 1990, whereas "the years subsequent to 1990" do not include it. When you mention a car crash and subsequent traffic jam or a scandal and subsequent investigation, one follows the other in order but a cause and effect relationship is implied too.

Example Sentences

Fernandes rejected it and then dismissed subsequent interest from other teams in Europe to remain with United.

From BBC • May 8, 2026

Turner’s subsequent land purchases were linked to efforts to grow the bison population, which came close to extinction in the 19th century.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

State and federal agencies don’t track data around vitamin K injection refusal or subsequent bleeding, which impedes their ability to quantify and track outcomes, including death.

From Salon • May 7, 2026

Transits in the subsequent weeks crested at 22 in mid-April and are off more than 90% since the war began.

From MarketWatch • May 5, 2026

Normally, in important tournaments, a score sheet is backed up with a carbon copy, the original going to the tournament organizers or referee for safekeeping should there be a subsequent dispute of any kind.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

Related Words

• consecutive
• consequent
• ensuing
• following
• successive