subsequent
Americanadjective
-
occurring or coming later or after (often followed byto ).
subsequent events;
Subsequent to their arrival in Chicago, they bought a new car.
-
following in order or succession; succeeding.
a subsequent section in a treaty.
adjective
Other Word Forms
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.
Vocabulary lists containing subsequent
Tier 2 Words for the SBAC ELA Items
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Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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List 3
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Under the 4% rule, you would typically withdraw $84,000 in the first year and increase that amount every subsequent year to account for inflation.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 6, 2026
But three subsequent photos showed the animal heading in the opposite direction, suggesting it had doubled back, he said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2026
When insurance covered little or none of the cost of infertility treatment, women experienced greater financial toxicity and subsequent anxiety.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 5, 2026
The findings suggest that heightened sensitivity to food cues may be one factor connecting ultra-processed diets with subsequent weight gain.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 4, 2026
From today’s perspective, it is difficult to imagine the ethical system that could justify De Soto’s subsequent actions.
From "1491" by Charles C. Mann
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
