corollary

[ kawr-uh-ler-ee, kor-; especially British, kuh-rol-uh-ree ]

noun

, plural cor·ol·lar·ies.

1. Mathematics. a proposition that is incidentally proved in proving another proposition.
2. an immediate consequence or easily drawn conclusion.
3. a natural consequence or result.

corollary

/ kəˈrɒlərɪ /

noun

1. a proposition that follows directly from the proof of another proposition
2. an obvious deduction
3. a natural consequence or result

adjective

1. consequent or resultant

corollary

/ kôr′ə-lĕr′ē /

1. A statement that follows with little or no proof required from an already proven statement. For example, it is a theorem in geometry that the angles opposite two congruent sides of a triangle are also congruent. A corollary to that statement is that an equilateral triangle is also equiangular.

Word History and Origins

Origin of corollary¹

1325–75; Middle English < Late Latin corollārium corollary, in Latin: money paid for a garland, a gift, gratuity. See corolla, -ary

Word History and Origins

Origin of corollary¹

C14: from Latin corollārium money paid for a garland, from Latin corolla garland, from corōna crown

Example Sentences

And there’s a slightly less common corollary to that: I mean, really, who are these people who say that they’re undecided?

From Salon

If we insist on regarding the natural world in such feminine terms, then authority over women is an essential — and equally destructive — corollary to authority over nature.

From Los Angeles Times

A corollary to the people’s power to govern is that the government must honor our fundamental rights.

From Salon

But perhaps there should be a corollary: If you start your action with a bang, a gun had better follow.

From New York Times

That has a corollary these days with those critical of the protests, who have condemned what they say is a descent into antisemitism.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• analogy
• upshot