consequence

American  

[kon-si-kwens, -kwuhns] / ˈkɒn sɪˌkwɛns, -kwəns /

noun

1. the effect, result, or outcome of something occurring earlier.

   The accident was the consequence of reckless driving.

   Synonyms:

   sequel, upshot, issue, outcome

   Antonyms:

   cause

2. an act or instance of following something as an effect, result, or outcome.

3. the conclusion reached by a line of reasoning; inference.

4. importance or significance.

   a matter of no consequence.

   Synonyms:

   weight, moment

5. importance in rank or position; distinction.

   a man of great consequence in art.

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idioms

1. in consequence of, as a result of; on account of.

   A trial was held in consequence of the investigation.

2. in consequence, consequently; as a result; hence.

   He withdrew from the world, and in consequence was forgotten.

consequence British  

/ ˈkɒnsɪkwəns /

noun

1. a result or effect of some previous occurrence

2. an unpleasant result (esp in the phrase take the consequences )

3. significance or importance

   it's of no consequence

   a man of consequence

4. logic

   1. a conclusion reached by reasoning

   2. the conclusion of an argument

   3. the relations between the conclusion and the premises of a valid argument

5. the relation between an effect and its cause

6. as a result

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consequence More Idioms  

1. see in consequence; of consequence.

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Related Words

See effect. See importance.

Other Word Forms

• nonconsequence noun
• superconsequence noun

Etymology

Origin of consequence

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English (from Anglo-French ), from Latin consequentia. See consequent, -ence

Explanation

Things in a sequence come one after another, as in a number sequence of 1, 2, 3, 4. A consequence comes after, or as a result of something you do, for example, "He was given a traffic ticket as a consequence of running the red light." A consequence is a "result" or "conclusion," and the Latin sequī, "to follow," is part of its history. Most actions and acts of nature have a consequence that follows as a result. When people do something wrong, like rob a bank, the consequence will probably be prison time. If an organization works for good and finds a cure for cancer, on the other hand, people will get better as a consequence. When something occurs in nature, like a tornado touching down, destruction might be the consequence.

Example Sentences

This had a fateful consequence for Buffalo: The top available prospect that year was a teenage phenom named Connor McDavid.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

The problem is that accountability without consequence is just content.

From Salon • Apr. 12, 2026

“And so, as a consequence, I’m not directly as engaged as perhaps I might need to be.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

If you are long this market with no hedges, you are making one bet: that all four of these economic chokeholds release simultaneously, quickly and without inflationary consequence.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026

In consequence, the AT is essentially just the central part of a very long, taxing haul connecting the South and New England.

From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson

Related Words

• aftereffect
• aftermath
• effect
• fallout
• issue
• reaction
• repercussion