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 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

The Huskies have now lost three consecutive home games for the first time since 2021. — CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026

The Ducks are the first team since the 1991-92 Pittsburgh Penguins to score at least five goals in seven consecutive games. — Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026

The Cubs also took home the NL team Gold Glove award Friday night, winning it for a second consecutive season and the third time overall since Rawlings first awarded it in 2020. — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026

Torrey Pines put together about a complete fifth set as a team can play, beating rival Cathedral Catholic, 25-16, 25-19, 27-29, 14-25, 15-7 to win its second consecutive Open Division championship in a match played Friday at Cal State San Marcos. — Tim Meehan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026

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