sequel

play

noun se·quel \ ˈsē-kwəl also -ˌkwel \

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

In addition to taking care of them, Flanagan worked on a sequel to Run Fast.

— rachel axon, USA TODAY, "Shalane Flanagan to run New York City Marathon," 25 Aug. 2017
Until the Atomic Blonde meets Furiosa in the future Day-Glo wasteland of one sequel or another, men and women alike might get out of the way.

— steve erickson, Los Angeles Magazine, "With Atomic Blonde, Charlize Theron Thrusts Another Dagger into Old Hollywood," 22 Aug. 2017
The message of this sequel is twofold: Urgency and hope.

— jocelyn noveck, idahostatesman, "‘An Inconvenient Sequel’ balances urgency, hope," 10 Aug. 2017
And yes, that makes sense, because the first season was based on Liane Moriarty's eponymous book, which doesn't have a sequel or any other material planned to further the storyline.

— erin reimel, Glamour, "'Big Little Lies' Season Two Storylines Are in the Works," 29 July 2017
Warner Bros. didn't share much information about the sequel—including who would be directing it.

— kayleigh roberts, Harper's BAZAAR, "'Wonder Woman 2' Is Officially Happening," 26 July 2017
Good thing Warner Bros. officially announced her sequel at Comic-Con this weekend.

— vanityfair.com, "With Dunkirk and Girls Trip, It’s a Good Weekend for Original Movies," 23 July 2017
Though Descendants 2 is a sequel film, there’s a lot of new things waiting for fans of the magical Disney Channel Original musical.

— ilan mester, Teen Vogue, ""Descendants 2" Stars on Their Favorite Musical Numbers and How Their Characters Have Changed," 21 July 2017
On his website, Martin said that each of the concepts under development is a prequel rather than a sequel, and may not even be set on the mythical continent of Westeros.

— Bloomberg.com, "‘Game of Thrones’ Debut Draws Record 10.1 Million Viewers," 19 July 2017

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

See Words from the same year

sequel Synonyms

Synonyms

aftereffect, aftermath, backwash, child, conclusion, consequence, corollary, development, fate, fruit, issue, outcome, outgrowth, precipitate, product, result, resultant, effect, sequence, upshot

Antonyms

antecedent, causation, cause, occasion, reason

Related Words

ramification; denouement (also dénouement), echo, implication, repercussion; afterclap, afterglow, aftershock; blowback, by-product, fallout, offshoot, ripple, side effect (also side reaction), spin-off

Near Antonyms

consideration, determinant, factor; base, basis, foundation, ground, groundwork; impetus, incentive, inspiration, instigation, stimulus; mother, origin, root, source, spring

Other Performing Arts Terms

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

SEQUEL Defined for English Language Learners

sequel

play

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

play

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.