consequent

1 of 2

noun

con·​se·​quent ˈkän(t)-sə-kwənt  -ˌkwent 

1

a

: deduction sense 2b

b

: the conclusion of a conditional sentence

2

: the second term of a ratio

consequent

2 of 2

adjective

1

: following as a result or effect

her new job and consequent relocation

2

: observing logical sequence : rational

Did you know?

Subsequent vs. Consequent

The English language has many ways to indicate that something has come after another thing, but a number of these words have subtle differences that you may want to observe.

Something is subsequent if it follows something else in time, order, or place. Its meaning is very similar to that of following or later, but it has a more formal tone to it and may imply that something not only follows but in some way grows out of or is otherwise closely connected with what precedes it (“their courtship and subsequent marriage”).

Consequent may also be used of something that follows, but that does so explicitly as a result of something else (“I said an insensitive thing and the consequent argument lasted for days”).

There may be occasions when either subsequent or consequent would work ("her wounding and subsequent [or consequent] loss of blood"); your choice in such cases would depend upon whether you want to stress the order of events or the causal relationship between one event and another.

Synonyms

Adjective

• analytic
• analytical
• coherent
• good
• logical
• rational
• reasonable
• sensible
• sound
• valid
• well-founded
• well-grounded

Examples of consequent in a Sentence

Adjective

Weather forecasters predict heavy rains and consequent flooding.

Falling sales and a consequent loss of profits forced the company to lay off more workers.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Such a reality does not preclude the possibility of significant new operations by either side and consequent shifts in momentum. —Margaret MacMillan, Foreign Affairs, 12 June 2023

The 1957 Price-Anderson Act, which shields the industry from almost all financial liability consequent of a major accident, is up for renewal in 2025. —Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 21 Mar. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, "effect, result taken as a precedent," borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French, "consequence, reasoning," borrowed from Late Latin consequent-, consequens, noun derivative of Latin consequent-, consequens "following as a logical consequence" — more at consequent entry 2

Adjective

Middle English, "resulting, conclusive," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, "following logically," borrowed from Latin consequent-, consequens "following in time, following as a logical consequence, consistent," from present participle of consequor, consequī "to come after, follow, keep pace with, succeed in time, follow as a necessary consequence, bring about, acquire" from con- con- + sequor, sequī "to follow" — more at sue

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

consequent

adjective

con·​se·​quent

ˈkän(t)-si-kwənt,

-sə-ˌkwent

: following as a result or effect