consecutive

adjective

con·​sec·​u·​tive kən-ˈse-kyə-tiv 

-kə-tiv

: following one after the other in order : successive

served four consecutive terms in office

consecutiveness noun

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Concurrent and Consecutive

Consecutive has a good deal in common with the complementary word concurrent. Besides the fact that both begin with the prefix con- (meaning “with, together”), each word deals with the time-order in which several things happen. Concurrent describes things that are occurring, or people who are doing something, at the same time, such as “concurrent users” of a computer program. Consecutive refers to things that are arranged or happen in a sequential order. A criminal who serves a consecutive sentence does time for one conviction after another. If that person gets a concurrent sentence, he or she undergoes all punishments at the same time.

Synonyms

• back-to-back
• sequent
• sequential
• straight
• succeeding
• successional
• successive

Examples of consecutive in a Sentence

the team's winning streak has lasted for seven consecutive games

Recent Examples on the Web

Burger blasted a pair of solo home runs in the game — albeit an 8-5 Miami Marlins loss to the Cardinals that marked Miami’s eighth consecutive defeat to begin 2024 — but for a day, the result was secondary. Especially considering the company with him. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2024

The Cubs quickly tacked on another, after Michael Busch drew a walk and Nico Hoerner and Nick Madrigal strung together consecutive singles. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2024

Colt Ford earned five consecutive top 10 debuts on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, with 2012’s Declaration of Independence opening at No. 1. —Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 5 Apr. 2024

The Mojo are seeking to win consecutive matches for the first time. —Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2024

Sabonis recorded his 58th consecutive double-double, extending his record for the longest single-season streak since the ABA-NBA merger in 1976. —Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 3 Apr. 2024

There have been 39 consecutive drawings without a jackpot winner. —Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2024

If the winless streak continues, the Powerball jackpot will have made 41 consecutive drawings without a winner by Saturday night. —Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 2 Apr. 2024

After walking Freedom’s lead-off hitter, Kate Skinner retired three consecutive batters to close the book on the Falcons’ comeback bid in the final half inning. —Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French consecutif "following one after the other," borrowed from Medieval Latin consecūtīvus "following as a result or effect," from Latin consecūtus, past participle of consequī "to come after, succeed in time, follow as a necessary consequence" + -īvus -ive — more at consequent entry 2

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

consecutive

adjective

con·​sec·​u·​tive kən-ˈsek-(y)ət-iv 

: following one after the other in order

consecutively adverb

Etymology

from French consécutif "following in a series, consecutive," from Latin consecutus, past participle of consequi "to follow," from con, com- "with, together" and sequi "to follow" — related to sequel

Legal Definition

consecutive

adjective

con·​sec·​u·​tive

: following one after the other in order

consecutively adverb