consequential

adjective

con·​se·​quen·​tial ˌkän(t)-sə-ˈkwen(t)-shəl 

1

: of the nature of a secondary result : indirect

insurance against consequential loss

2

: consequent

oversupply and the consequential plummeting prices

3

: having significant consequences : important

a grave and consequential event

consequential decisions

4

: self-important

consequentiality

ˌkän(t)-sə-ˌkwen(t)-shē-ˈa-lə-tē 

noun

consequentially

ˌkän(t)-sə-ˈkwen(t)-sh(ə-)lē 

adverb

consequentialness

ˌkän(t)-sə-ˈkwen(t)-shəl-nəs 

noun

Did you know?

Consequential dates from the 17th century and can be traced back to the Latin verb consequi, meaning "to follow along." Consequi, in turn, combines the prefix con-, meaning "through" or "with," and sequi, meaning "to follow." The English words sequel, second, and suitor are among the offspring of sequi. Henry Fielding's 1728 comedy Love in Several Masques introduced the meaning of "important" to consequential, which had until that point been used primarily in the context of results. Evidence for this usage declined temporarily in the 19th century, causing its acceptability to be questioned by such commentators as H. W. Fowler; it resurfaced in the 20th century, however, and is now considered standard.

Synonyms

• attendant
• consequent
• due (to)
• resultant

Examples of consequential in a Sentence

There have been several consequential innovations in their computer software.

The change to the schedule is not consequential.

Recent Examples on the Web

The prospect of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. threatening to upend the presidential race went from an idea to a reality in one of the country’s most consequential battlegrounds, when Kennedy qualified for the ballot in Michigan. —Brad Plumer, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2024

Today was an incredibly consequential, meaningful day. —ABC News, 20 Apr. 2024

Our fundamental freedoms as Americans, our ability to make the most consequential economic decision in our lifetime is whether and when to have a child. —Nbc Universal, NBC News, 14 Apr. 2024

Marjorie Taylor-Greene is perhaps the most egregious offender with Donald Trump being the most consequential. —Rafael Perez, Orange County Register, 12 Apr. 2024

In his frustration, Redmon also seeks out Kim himself, who has left his cinematic activities behind, and who invites the filmmaker to South Korea for the first of several consequential conversations. —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2024

As the most consequential presidential election in a generation looms in the United States, get-out-the-vote efforts across the country are more important than ever. —David Gilbert, WIRED, 8 Apr. 2024

By Yasmeen Serhan April 16, 2024 8:02 AM EDT A quarter of the way into the most consequential election year in living memory, tech companies are failing their biggest test. —Yasmeen Serhan, TIME, 16 Apr. 2024

Come Monday, Bragg and his team of prosecutors will be at the center of arguably the most consequential trial in American history, after charging the former president of the United States with falsifying business records to conceal information from voters. —Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 14 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin consequentiālis, from Latin consequentia "succession of events, consequence" + -ālis -al entry 1

First Known Use

1626, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

consequential

adjective

con·​se·​quen·​tial ˌkän(t)-sə-ˈkwen-chəl 

1

: consequent

2

: having important consequences

Legal Definition

consequential

adjective

con·​se·​quen·​tial ˌkän-si-ˈkwen-chəl 

: of the nature of an indirect or secondary result