consequential

[ kon-si-kwen-shuhl ]

adjective

1. following as an effect, result, or outcome; resultant; consequent.
2. following as a logical conclusion or inference; logically consistent.
3. of significance or importance:

   His writings offer insight into his personality, opinions, and strengths, and show early evidence of the consequential man he would become.

4. having important effects or results:

   Being a lawyer, I knew that a consequential decision should not depend on an informal phone conversation.

5. Archaic. self-important; pompous.

consequential

/ ˌkɒnsɪˈkwɛnʃəl /

adjective

1. important or significant
2. self-important; conceited
3. following as a consequence; resultant, esp indirectly

   consequential loss

Usage

Although both consequential and consequent can refer to something which happens as the result of something else, consequent is more common in this sense in modern English: the new measures were put into effect, and the consequent protest led to the dismissal of those responsible

Derived Forms

• ˌconseˌquentiˈality, noun
• ˌconseˈquentially, adverb

Other Words From

• con·se·quen·ti·al·i·ty [kon-si-kwen-shee-, al, -i-tee], con·se·quen·tial·ness noun
• con·se·quen·tial·ly adverb
• non·con·se·quen·tial adjective
• non·con·se·quen·tial·ly adverb
• non·con·se·quen·tial·ness noun
• non·con·se·quen·ti·al·i·ty noun
• qua·si-con·se·quen·tial adjective
• qua·si-con·se·quen·tial·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of consequential¹

First recorded in 1620–30; from Latin consequenti(a) “sequence (of events), logical sequence” + -al adjective suffix; consequence, -al ¹

Example Sentences

The Blurred Lines trial was hugely consequential for the music industry, after a jury ruled that Williams and Thicke had copied the sound and "feel" of Marvin Gaye's Got To Give It Up - rather than plagiarising a specific melody.

From BBC

The T’Challa actor revealed that Washington played a consequential role in its making: paying Boseman’s tuition for summer acting classes at Oxford University.

From Los Angeles Times

Meanwhile, prosecutors argued for a longer prison term, saying that the airman had "perpetrated one of the most significant and consequential violations of the Espionage Act in American history".

From BBC

More important, grand and consequential Salzburg markedly demonstrates what makes festivals matter.

From Los Angeles Times

Goldstein has plenty of consequential actions to choose from, but he slides into a recap of a story that I mostly already knew from interviews and the superb documentary “Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• far-reaching
• meaningful
• momentous
• substantial
• weighty