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

• resultant
• consequent

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 New York Yankees made several consequential moves leading up to the trade deadline but their manager is calling for more. After cutting ties with veteran DJ LeMahieu, the team brought in Colorado Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon as a replacement. —Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 July 2025

Some of its most consequential provisions are designed to crack down on a problem that has grown alongside the number of Airbnb and Vrbo properties: A vast number of them aren’t licensed with the city, which lets owners avoid paying hotel occupancy tax and otherwise skirt regulatory scrutiny. —Ella McCarthy, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025

Gawker’s bankruptcy marked the end of a prominent, controversial digital outlet known for unfiltered reporting, and Hulk Hogan v. Gawker Media remains one of the most consequential legal battles in recent American media history, fundamentally reshaping ideas around privacy, journalism, and power. —Chris Morris, Fortune, 24 July 2025

Last year, the Yankees’ acquisition of Jazz Chisholm Jr. from the Miami Marlins represented the most consequential splash. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 24 July 2025

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

Rhymes for consequential

• deferential
• evidential
• existential
• exponential
• influential
• nonessential
• penitential
• precedential
• preferential
• presidential
• providential
• referential

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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