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 of consequential

• 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

Two hundred and fifty years after our nation’s founding, that may prove to be one of the most consequential investments philanthropy can make in the country itself. — William Cogswell, Time, 24 July 2026

The most consequential conversation will be happening inside of the actors branch, the largest voting bloc in the Academy and the one that decides which performances graduate from admired to nominated. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 23 July 2026

NurPhoto via Getty Images This week, OpenAI disclosed what may prove to be one of the most consequential cybersecurity incidents in the short history of Artificial Intelligence. — Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

But why not use a more surgical approach, targeting consequential categories like steel and aluminum, as the administration did with the Section 232 duties? — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 22 July 2026

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
• existential
• exponential
• influential
• nonessential
• penitential
• precedential
• preferential
• presidential
• providential
• referential
• residential

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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