sequel

noun

se·​quel ˈsē-kwəl 

also -ˌkwel

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

Synonyms of sequel

• outcome
• result
• resultant
• consequence
• product

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 on the Web

Fresh off a historic fifth Emmy win for Hacks, Jean Smart has inked a deal to join The Families Stone, Searchlight’s sequel to the perennial holiday favorite The Family Stone. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2026

Of those features, the office has said that one of the first to apply was David Fincher’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood sequel starring Brad Pitt. — Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026

Variety previously reported that Reeves completed the sequel’s script in June 2025, though the film was originally announced in 2022 — just a month after the first film debuted in theaters. — Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 23 Sep. 2026

David Ellison — who helped to finance Tom Cruise's Mission Impossiblefranchise and the Top Gun sequel — is by all accounts enamored of the film-making industry. — David Folkenflik, NPR, 21 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sequel

• equal
• coequal
• subequal
• unequal

Kids Definition

sequel

noun

se·​quel ˈsē-kwəl 

1

: an event that follows or comes afterward : result

2

: a book, motion picture, or television program that continues a story begun in a preceding one

Etymology

Middle English sequel, sequele "follower, series," from early French sequelle (same meaning), from Latin sequella, sequela "follower," from sequi "to follow" — related to consecutive, pursue, second entry 1, sequence

Medical Definition

sequel

noun

se·​quel

ˈsē-kwəl also -ˌkwel

: sequela

gangrene is … a sequel of wounds

—Robert Chawner