Consequence
noun, verb ·Common ·High school level
Definitions
- 1 An effect; something that follows a cause as a result. countable, uncountable
"The lobule margins, furthermore, are arched away from the lobe, with the consequence that (when fully inflated) the abaxial leaf surface forms the interior lining of the lobule."
- 2 having important effects or influence wordnet
- 3 An effect; something that follows a cause as a result.; An unwanted or unpleasant effect. countable, uncountable
"I'm warning you. If you don't get me the report on time, there will be consequences."
- 4 the outcome of an event especially as relative to an individual wordnet
- 5 consecution; chain of causes and effects. countable, uncountable
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- 6 a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon wordnet
- 7 conclusion, deduction or inference; the thing concluded. countable, uncountable
- 8 Importance, influence, or significance. countable, uncountable
"My opinions are of no consequence whatsoever to my parents."
- 1 To threaten or punish (a child, etc.) with specific consequences for misbehaviour. transitive
"The goal of consequencing is to teach the child a lesson that leads to positive choices and behaviors. The goal of punishment is to inflict pain and seek revenge. Angry parenting is punitive and ineffectual."
Antonyms
All antonymsExample
More examples"It is of little consequence to me."
Etymology
From Middle English consequence, from Old French consequence, from Latin consequentia. While analysable as con- + sequence, its adjective form has a different origin.
Related phrases
More for "consequence"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.