successive
suhk-SEH-sihv
Successive (adjective) means following one after another without interruption. Example: “It rained on four successive days, so the picnic was cancelled again.”
adjective
1
Following one after another without interruption.
"It rained on four successive days, so the picnic was cancelled again."
"She was late for work on three successive mornings."
"The team won five successive championships."
How to use successive
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishComing one right after the other, in a row.
Common pairings
successive years
successive attempts
successive governments
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It rained on four _____ days, so the picnic was cancelled again.
Etymology
From Latin succedere ("to succeed").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for successive
See all rhymes for successive →Frequently asked questions
What does “successive” mean?
The word “successive” means following one after another without interruption. In plain terms, coming one right after the other, in a row.
How do you pronounce “successive”?
“Successive” is pronounced suhk-SEH-sihv (/səkˈsɛsɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “successive” in a sentence?
Here is “successive” used in a sentence: “The team won five successive championships.”
What is another word for “successive”?
Words with a similar meaning to “successive” include in a series.
What part of speech is “successive”?
“Successive” is an adjective.
Where does the word “successive” come from?
The word “successive” comes from Latin. From Latin succedere ("to succeed").
Is “successive” a common word?
“Successive” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between successive and consecutive?
Successive and consecutive are very close in meaning, both describing things that follow one after another without interruption, and are often used interchangeably. Consecutive is slightly more common in contexts involving numbers or sequences, such as 'three consecutive days,' while successive is common in phrases like 'successive governments' or 'successive attempts.'
Can successive be used with just two items?
Successive typically implies a sequence of at least two or more items following one after another, and is most naturally used with three or more, as in 'three successive victories,' though it can technically apply to two consecutive occurrences as well.
What kind of nouns does successive typically describe?
Successive is commonly paired with nouns describing repeated events or periods over time, such as successive years, successive governments, successive attempts, or successive generations, emphasizing an unbroken sequence.
