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

In the end, the team finished with a 5-7 record, missing out on a postseason bowl berth for the second consecutive season. —Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026

Since a state championship victory in 1975, Carroll has made the regional semifinals 10 times, and had a streak of four consecutive appearances from 2021 to 2024. —Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Feb. 2026

The People's Bank of China, meanwhile, has expanded its gold reserves for 15 consecutive months through January, reportedly taking holdings to roughly 2,300 tons. —Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026

For the third consecutive year since the WLF movement took hold of Iran, filmmakers and independent producers have come to the Berlinale hoping to shed light on indie and underground films made inside Iran and abroad. —Tina Ahmadi Krol, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 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