consequence
KON-sih-kwehns
Consequence (noun) means a result or effect that follows from an action or cause. Example: “The flooding was a consequence of the heavy rain overnight.”
noun
1
A result or effect that follows from an action or cause.
"The flooding was a consequence of the heavy rain overnight."
"Losing his job was a direct consequence of missing so many deadlines."
"Every choice has consequences."
2
Importance or significance.
"It is a matter of little consequence which route we take."
"Nothing of consequence was discussed at the meeting."
"A matter of no real consequence to the board."
verb
1
To impose a specific penalty or negative outcome on someone, especially a child, for misbehaviour.
"The school consequences pupils who skip lessons by keeping them in at break."
"If you hit your sister again, I will consequence you with no screen time."
"The teacher consequenced the students for arriving late again."
How to use consequence
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWhat happens as a result of something you did.
Common mistake
The verb use ("to consequence a child") is informal parenting jargon, not standard in general writing.
Common pairings
face the consequences
as a consequence
dire consequences
of no consequence
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Word forms
- Plural
- consequences
- Third person singular
- consequences
- Past tense
- consequenced
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The flooding was a _____ of the heavy rain overnight.
Etymology
From Old French consequence, from Latin consequentia, ultimately from consequi, "to follow along with."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
inconsequence
Related words
Rhymes for consequence
See all rhymes for consequence →Frequently asked questions
What does “consequence” mean?
The word “consequence” means a result or effect that follows from an action or cause. In plain terms, what happens as a result of something you did.
How do you pronounce “consequence”?
“Consequence” is pronounced KON-sih-kwehns (/ˈkɑn.sɪ.kwɛns/ in IPA).
How do you use “consequence” in a sentence?
Here is “consequence” used in a sentence: “Losing his job was a direct consequence of missing so many deadlines.”
What is another word for “consequence”?
Words with a similar meaning to “consequence” include aftercome.
What part of speech is “consequence”?
Depending on how it is used, “consequence” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “consequence” come from?
The word “consequence” comes from Latin. From Old French consequence, from Latin consequentia, ultimately from consequi, "to follow along with.".
Is “consequence” a common word?
“Consequence” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “consequence” have?
“Consequence” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a result or effect that follows from an action or cause.
What is the difference between consequence and result?
Both name something that follows from an action or cause, but consequence often carries a negative or weighty shade — people "face the consequences" — while result is neutral and common in science, sport, and everyday reporting. Consequence also has a separate meaning of importance, as in "a matter of consequence", which result lacks.
Is a consequence always something bad?
No. A consequence is simply a result or effect that follows from an action or cause, and positive consequences are perfectly possible. The word leans negative in everyday speech because of fixed phrases like "suffer the consequences", but the core meaning is neutral.
Can consequence be used as a verb, as in "to consequence a child"?
In parenting and behaviour-management contexts, "to consequence" means to impose a specific penalty on someone, especially a child, for misbehaviour. Many editors and traditional speakers dislike the verb, so it is best confined to those professional settings; in general writing, "impose consequences on" is the safer wording.
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