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

Did you know?

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 of consecutive

• successive
• straight

Examples of consecutive in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

That broke his streak of 14 consecutive makes. —Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 9 Nov. 2025

On the Dolphins’ first touchdown drive, a 12-play, 92-yard march that chewed up nearly half the first quarter, Achane carried the ball on four consecutive plays. —Steve Gorten, Miami Herald, 9 Nov. 2025

The song would become one of the biggest hits of 2025, topping the Hot 100 for 10 non-consecutive weeks while turning Warren himself into a streaming juggernaut. —Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 9 Nov. 2025

The cold weather shelter at 3230 Brick Church Pike opens any time temperatures reach 32 degrees or below for three consecutive hours. —Austin Hornbostel, Nashville Tennessean, 9 Nov. 2025

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

Rhymes for consecutive

• executive

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