adjective
Common
consecutive
kuhn-SEHK-yuu-tihv
Consecutive (adjective) means following one after another without a break. Example: “It rained for five consecutive days, so the picnic was postponed again.”
adjective
1
Following one after another without a break.
"It rained for five consecutive days, so the picnic was postponed again."
"She worked four consecutive night shifts."
"The team won six consecutive matches."
noun
1
In music, a sequence of intervals repeated identically between successive notes or chords.
"My music teacher circled the consecutives in red because they broke the harmony rules."
"Students are often marked down for writing consecutives in their four-part exercises."
"The composer avoided parallel fifths, a classic case of forbidden consecutives."
How to use consecutive
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOne right after another, with nothing in between.
Common mistake
Consecutive means unbroken order (Mon, Tue, Wed); it isn't the same as simply "several" or "many."
Common pairings
consecutive days
consecutive wins
three consecutive years
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like consecutive.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- consecutives
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It rained for five _____ days, so the picnic was postponed again.
Etymology
From French consécutif, from Medieval Latin consecutivus, ultimately from Latin consequor, "to follow closely."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for consecutive
See all rhymes for consecutive →Frequently asked questions
What does “consecutive” mean?
The word “consecutive” means following one after another without a break. In plain terms, one right after another, with nothing in between.
How do you pronounce “consecutive”?
“Consecutive” is pronounced kuhn-SEHK-yuu-tihv (/kənˈsɛkjʊtɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “consecutive” in a sentence?
Here is “consecutive” used in a sentence: “She worked four consecutive night shifts.”
What is the opposite of “consecutive”?
The opposite of “consecutive” — its antonyms — are concurrent, nonconsecutive and simultaneously.
What part of speech is “consecutive”?
Depending on how it is used, “consecutive” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “consecutive” come from?
The word “consecutive” comes from Medieval Latin. From French consécutif, from Medieval Latin consecutivus, ultimately from Latin consequor, "to follow closely.".
Is “consecutive” a common word?
“Consecutive” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “consecutive” have?
“Consecutive” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: following one after another without a break.
What is the difference between consecutive and concurrent?
Consecutive means following one after another without a break, so consecutive events happen in sequence. Concurrent means happening at the same time; for example, consecutive prison sentences are served one after the other, while concurrent sentences run simultaneously.
What is the difference between consecutive and successive?
Both consecutive and successive describe things that follow in sequence. Consecutive stresses that there is no gap or interruption between them, while successive can allow for gaps, as in "successive governments" that are not necessarily uninterrupted.
How is consecutive used in phrases about time?
Consecutive typically modifies a plural time period or count, as in "three consecutive days," "five consecutive wins," or "two consecutive years." It signals that each item directly follows the one before with no break in between.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include consecutive:
