result

American  

[ri-zuhlt] / rɪˈzʌlt /

verb (used without object)

1. to spring, arise, or proceed as a consequence of actions, circumstances, premises, etc.; be the outcome.

   Synonyms:

   issue, come, flow

2. to terminate or end in a specified manner or thing.

   Synonyms:

   eventuate, resolve

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noun

1. something that happens as a consequence; outcome.

   Synonyms:

   fruit, product, end, issue, conclusion

   Antonyms:

   cause

2. Mathematics. a quantity, expression, etc., obtained by calculation.

3. Often results. a desirable or beneficial consequence, outcome, or effect.

   We had definite results within weeks.

idioms

1. get results, to obtain a notable or successful result or response; be effective.

result British  

/ rɪˈzʌlt /

noun

1. something that ensues from an action, policy, course of events, etc; outcome; consequence

2. a number, quantity, or value obtained by solving a mathematical problem

3. a decision of a legislative body

4. (often plural) the final score or outcome of a sporting contest

5. a favourable result, esp a victory or success

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verb

1. (often foll by from) to be the outcome or consequence (of)

2. (foll by in) to issue or terminate (in a specified way, state, etc); end

   to result in tragedy

3. property law (of an undisposed or partially disposed of interest in land) to revert to a former owner when the prior interests come to an end

Related Words

See follow. See effect.

Etymology

Origin of result

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English resulten (verb) from Anglo-Latin resultāre “to arise as a consequence” ( Latin: “to spring back, rebound”), equivalent to re- re- + -sultāre, combining form of saltāre “to dance” (frequentative of salīre “to leap, spring”)

Explanation

A result is something that occurs as a consequence of some action. The result of your practical joke is a puddle of water on the floor and a lump on your cousin's head where the bucket hit him. A result is also the answer to some problem, especially one obtained by calculation or experimentation. The result you get for a math problem will be wrong if you add when you should multiply. The verb result means to follow as an outcome of some action. If you forget to book a room in advance, it will result in your having to stay at the hotel by the airport instead of one by the beach.

Example Sentences

As a result, the airline warned Thursday that it could lose money in 2026.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

As a result, he stressed that he wanted overall NHS waiting list numbers to fall more quickly for women, while also seeing an improvement in access to women's health services.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

As a result, the stock is trading at 92 times its projected earnings-per-share for the next 12 months, a record for the company.

From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026

“Some people are just getting out of the field completely, saying this isn’t worth it anymore. You’re seeing this kind of result because that’s the intent,” he said.

From Slate • Apr. 23, 2026

All along, amazing breakthroughs had been taking place as a result of space science.

From "Reaching for the Moon" by Katherine Johnson

Related Words

• appear
• arise
• come from
• culminate
• derive
• emanate
• emerge
• end
• ensue
• follow
• grow
• occur
• proceed
• produce
• rise
• stem