successive
Americanadjective
-
following in order or in uninterrupted sequence; consecutive.
three successive days.
-
following another in a regular sequence.
the second successive day.
-
characterized by or involving succession.
adjective
-
following another without interruption
-
of or involving succession
a successive process
Other Word Forms
- nonsuccessive adjective
- nonsuccessiveness noun
- successively adverb
- successiveness noun
- unsuccessive adjective
- unsuccessiveness noun
Etymology
Origin of successive
1400–50; late Middle English < Medieval Latin successīvus, equivalent to success ( us ), past participle of succēdere to succeed + -īvus -ive
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.
Iraq's precious archaeological sites, some dating back thousands of years, had for years faced threats ranging from climate change to successive conflicts.
From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026
The Fed left rates unchanged at its March meeting, extending a pause after three successive cuts late last year.
From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026
Bosnia were allowed to grow into the game, equalised from a late corner and won the shootout, leaving Wales to pick up the pieces after missing out on a second successive major tournament on penalties.
From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026
It means successive governments have effectively over-estimated poverty levels in recent years.
From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026
As White examined probate records for many of the murder victims, it was evident that with each successive death, more and more headrights were being directed into the hands of one person—Mollie Burkhart.
From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
