sequel

noun se·quel \ ˈsē-kwəl also -ˌkwel \

|Updated on: 14 Aug 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

The production company is responsible for the 2018 sequel to Angelina Jolie's 2014 film Unbroken as well as the 2018 iteration of Little Women.

— rebecca farley, refinery29.com, "The Harrowing Tale Of The Boys In The Cave Is Already Going To Be A Movie," 11 July 2018
The Marvel Universe is expanding yet again with the release of Ant-Man and The Wasp, the sequel to 2015's Ant-Man, on July 6.

— halie lesavage, Glamour, "Evangeline Lilly Powerfully Explained How She Stood Up For Herself While Filming Ant-Man and The Wasp," 5 July 2018
Although the sequel to the blockbuster Wonder Woman movie isn’t slated to hit theaters until November 2019, excitement is already heating up about the next adventure of Gal Gadot as the supernatural Diana Prince.

— raisa bruner, Time, "The First Look at Wonder Woman 1984 Has People Wondering Various Things," 13 June 2018
The sequel to the blockbuster hit released two first look images today — and one contains a major surprise.

— ale russian, PEOPLE.com, "Back from the Dead? Chris Pine Makes a Surprise Appearance in Wonder Woman 2 First Look," 13 June 2018
Dying Light 2, a sequel to my favorite zombie parkour game.

— julie muncy, WIRED, "The Biggest Surprises (and Missed Opportunities) of the E3 Press Conferences," 12 June 2018
By Ruth Rogers, Rose Gray, Sian Wyn Owen and Joseph Trivelli (Knopf, 320 pages, $40) This sequel to the 30-year-old restaurant's first cookbook is practically perfect in every way.

— the washington post, OregonLive.com, "7 delightful cookbooks to savor this summer," 29 May 2018
No two drivers ever have fought for an Indianapolis 500 lead for the lead as long as Roger Ward and Jim Rathmann in this longer, stronger sequel to their 1959 duel, won by Ward.

— david j. neal, miamiherald, "Here are the six best Indy 500s ever — by generation," 25 May 2018
When the sequel to Infinity War drops next year, the Marvel Cinematic Universe will test its audience mightily, both by bringing back several characters from the dead, comic book–style, and recasting others.

— jeet heer, The New Republic, "Is Marvel Killing the Movies?," 1 May 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.