sequel

noun

se·​quel ˈsē-kwəl 

 also  -ˌkwel

1

: consequence, result

2

a

: subsequent development

b

: the next installment (as of a speech or story)

especially : a literary, cinematic, or televised work continuing the course of a story begun in a preceding one

Synonyms

• outcome
• result
• resultant
• consequence
• product

Examples of sequel in a Sentence

The new film is a sequel to the very successful comedy that came out five years ago.

He is busy writing the book's sequel.

There is an interesting sequel to my date with her that I'll share with you later.

Recent Examples on the Web

Ridley, who plays Rey in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, recently starred in action pic The Cleaner and is in post on rom-com The Last Resort. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2025

The books were written in the 1950s and consist of Eloise (1955) and four sequels. —Beatrice Verhoeven, HollywoodReporter, 3 Nov. 2025

Fisher did not reprise her original role in the 2016 sequel; instead, Lizzy Caplan’s character joined the Four Horsemen group in her place. —Kelsie Gibson, PEOPLE, 1 Nov. 2025

What happened past the initial film was a slew of sequels, which are now being released for the first time as a seven-movie collection in 4K and UHD for the first time. —James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French sequele, from Latin sequela, from sequi to follow — more at sue

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sequel

• equal
• coequal
• subequal
• unequal

Kids Definition

sequel

noun

se·​quel ˈsē-kwəl 

1

: an event that follows or comes afterward : result

2

: a book, motion picture, or television program that continues a story begun in a preceding one

Etymology

Middle English sequel, sequele "follower, series," from early French sequelle (same meaning), from Latin sequella, sequela "follower," from sequi "to follow" — related to consecutive, pursue, second entry 1, sequence

Medical Definition

sequel

noun

se·​quel

ˈsē-kwəl also -ˌkwel

: sequela

gangrene is … a sequel of wounds

—Robert Chawner