consequential
Americanadjective
-
following as an effect, result, or outcome; resultant; consequent.
-
following as a logical conclusion or inference; logically consistent.
-
of significance or importance.
His writings offer insight into his personality, opinions, and strengths, and show early evidence of the consequential man he would become.
-
having important effects or results.
Being a lawyer, I knew that a consequential decision should not depend on an informal phone conversation.
-
Archaic. self-important; pompous.
adjective
-
important or significant
-
self-important; conceited
-
following as a consequence; resultant, esp indirectly
consequential loss
Usage
Although both consequential and consequent can refer to something which happens as the result of something else, consequent is more common in this sense in modern English: the new measures were put into effect, and the consequent protest led to the dismissal of those responsible
Other Word Forms
- consequentiality noun
- consequentially adverb
- consequentialness noun
- nonconsequential adjective
- nonconsequentiality noun
- nonconsequentially adverb
- nonconsequentialness noun
- quasi-consequential adjective
- quasi-consequentially adverb
Etymology
Origin of consequential
First recorded in 1620–30; from Latin consequenti(a) “sequence (of events), logical sequence” + -al adjective suffix; consequence, -al 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But “Pretty in Pink” fails to truly acknowledge that Andie operates at a much more consequential social disadvantage than her new boyfriend.
From Salon
Stanton is a huge and consequential personage in American history, but she has dwindled in the eyes of posterity to become a subordinate of Anthony.
“AI is the most consequential technology that we have ever experienced in the history of humanity,” said Tim Law, research director for AI & automation at IDC, a global market intelligence firm.
From Los Angeles Times
Perhaps the most consequential purchase was that of British start-up Oxford Ionics, whose proprietary technology allowed IonQ to claim a record in quantum performance.
From Barron's
Mr. Bird carried the weight of a calamity you never get over, and a lot of other weight, too, emerging as one of the most consequential figures in the history of American sport.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
