sequel

American  

[see-kwuhl] / ˈsi kwəl /

noun

1. a literary work, movie, etc., that is complete in itself but continues the narrative of a preceding work.

2. an event or circumstance following something; subsequent course of affairs.

3. a result, consequence, or inference.

   Synonyms:

   end, outgrowth, upshot, aftermath

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sequel British  

/ ˈsiːkwəl /

noun

1. anything that follows from something else; development

2. a consequence or result

3. a novel, play, etc, that continues a previously related story

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sequel Cultural  

1. A narrative or dramatic work complete in itself but designed to follow an earlier one. Through the Looking-Glass is a sequel to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland; The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a sequel to The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

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Etymology

Origin of sequel

1375–1425; late Middle English sequel ( e ) < Latin sequēla what follows, equivalent to sequ ( ī ) to follow + -ēla noun suffix

Explanation

A sequel is a continuation or part two. The Empire Strikes Back and Toy Story 2 are sequels. Many successful movies have sequels. The most common meaning of sequel is for a book or movie that follows another, but the term can be used for just about anything that comes second. We might say of an actress who begins her career with a bang, "What will she do for a sequel?" A football team that wins a championship may have trouble with the sequel — trying to win another one next year. All sequels have a tough challenge — living up to the original.

Example Sentences

Josh Greenstein, co-chair of Paramount Pictures, confirmed Thursday morning that a sequel to “Top Gun: Maverick” is in development, a film that will reunite actor Tom Cruise with Jerry Bruckheimer.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

The long-awaited sequel, “Top Gun: Maverick,” came out in June 2022 and quickly cruised to box office heights.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

Madonna has officially announced that her next album will be a sequel to 2005's Confessions On A Dancefloor, the club-focused record that produced hits like Sorry and the Abba-sampling Hung Up.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

They were shown a fresh trailer for Spider-Man sequel Brand New Day - which is likely to have broken a few hearts of fans in the room.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

I wondered why he’d written Van Houten in those last days instead of me, telling Van Houten that he’d be redeemed if only he gave me my sequel.

From "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green

Related Words

• conclusion
• ending
• sequence
• series