sequel

noun se·quel \ ˈsē-kwəl also -ˌkwel \

|Updated on: 19 Jun 2018

Definition of sequel

1 : consequence, result

2 a : subsequent development

b : the next installment (as of a speech or story); especially : a literary, cinematic, or televised work continuing the course of a story begun in a preceding one

See sequel defined for English-language learners

See sequel defined for kids

Examples of sequel in a Sentence

The new film is a sequel to the very successful comedy that came out five years ago.
He is busy writing the book's sequel.
There is an interesting sequel to my date with her that I'll share with you later.

Recent Examples of sequel from the Web

Val Kilmer is returning to the big screen in the upcoming Top Gun sequel, but all the attention this week was on his 23-year-old son, actor Jack Kilmer.

— mike miller, PEOPLE.com, "Val Kilmer Steps Out with His Lookalike Son After Being Cast in the Top Gun Sequel," 15 June 2018
The film grossed over $50 million in North America, which pales in comparison to opening weekend of a Star Wars or Avengers sequel.

— edward lee, baltimoresun.com, "Remembering ‘Bull Durham,' and its Orioles ties, on the movie's 30th anniversary," 15 June 2018
The stars held a media day last week to promote the dinosaur sequel on Oahu, less than 200 miles from Hawaii's Big Island where lava flowing from Kilauea has claimed as many as 700 homes, CBS Honolulu affiliate KGMB reported this week.

— CBS News, ""Jurassic World" cast and crew on "unfortunate" timing of release amid volcanic disasters," 14 June 2018
Meanwhile, the North Korean dictator owns the rights to make any sequels.

— frank rich, Daily Intelligencer, "Trump’s Summit Spectacle Was Just a Momentary Distraction From His Bigger Problems," 13 June 2018
Will this return from the dead carry over into future sequels that take place in the present day?

— david betancourt, chicagotribune.com, "Is a major 'Wonder Woman' character back from the dead for the sequel?," 13 June 2018
While the sequel doesn’t have an emotional arc quite as poignant as the first Incredibles did, its B-plot (which sees Bob playing stay-at-home dad while Helen goes off to save the world) is nonetheless consistently charming.

— david sims, The Atlantic, "Incredibles 2 Is an Exhilarating Ride," 13 June 2018
Movies Writer-director Brad Bird’s sequel is sleek and sure-footed—if a little square.

— richard lawson, HWD, "Incredibles 2 Review: Superhero Action That’s Familiar, but Fantastic," 11 June 2018
Initial reviews, which came out this week, were mixed for J.A. Bayona’s sequel.

— jake coyle, The Seattle Times, "‘Ocean’s 8’ opens with franchise-best $41.5M to top weekend," 10 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sequel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of sequel

Middle English, from Anglo-French sequele, from Latin sequela, from sequi to follow — more at sue

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

sequel Synonyms

Phrases

matter of course;

Other Performing Arts Terms

diva, dramaturgy, loge, prestidigitation, proscenium, supernumerary, zany

SEQUEL Defined for English Language Learners

sequel

noun

Definition of sequel for English Language Learners

: a book, movie, etc., that continues a story begun in another book, movie, etc.
: something that happens after and usually as a result of a previous event

SEQUEL Defined for Kids

sequel

noun se·quel \ ˈsē-kwəl \

Definition of sequel for Students

1 : a book or movie that continues a story begun in another

2 : an event that follows or comes afterward : result

Word Root of sequel

The Latin word sequī, meaning “to follow,” and its form secutus give us the roots sequ and sec. Words from the Latin sequī have something to do with following. Something second follows what came first. A sequel is a book or movie that follows another and continues the story. A sequence is the order in which one thing follows another. A consequence is a result that follows from a condition or action.