consecutive

adjective

con·​sec·​u·​tive kən-ˈse-kyə-tiv 

-kə-tiv

: following one after the other in order : successive

served four consecutive terms in office

consecutiveness noun

Did you know?

Concurrent and Consecutive

Consecutive has a good deal in common with the complementary word concurrent. Besides the fact that both begin with the prefix con- (meaning “with, together”), each word deals with the time-order in which several things happen. Concurrent describes things that are occurring, or people who are doing something, at the same time, such as “concurrent users” of a computer program. Consecutive refers to things that are arranged or happen in a sequential order. A criminal who serves a consecutive sentence does time for one conviction after another. If that person gets a concurrent sentence, he or she undergoes all punishments at the same time.

Synonyms

• back-to-back
• sequent
• sequential
• straight
• succeeding
• successional
• successive

Examples of consecutive in a Sentence

the team's winning streak has lasted for seven consecutive games

Recent Examples on the Web

Back for Season 12 are host Nick Cannon, alongside panelists Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg, Ken Jeong and Robin Thicke, while Ora also returned to the desk for the second consecutive season to fill in for Nicole Scherzinger. —Michael Schneider, Variety, 29 Nov. 2024

Run defense stinks Green Bay rushed for 102 yards in the first half, breaking a streak of three consecutive games in which the Dolphins allowed their opponent fewer than 100 yards rushing. —Steve Svekis, Sun Sentinel, 29 Nov. 2024

Max Verstappen has romped to four consecutive drivers’ titles, his latest confirmed with a fifth-place finish at last week’s race in Las Vegas, while the Dutchman’s Red Bull team has captured the previous two constructors’ titles. —Aleks Klosok, CNN, 29 Nov. 2024

Bennett Conlin, editor Ravens 24, Eagles 17: Nick Sirianni’s Eagles team has been impressive throughout this season, winning seven consecutive games entering Sunday’s clash. —Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 29 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French consecutif "following one after the other," borrowed from Medieval Latin consecūtīvus "following as a result or effect," from Latin consecūtus, past participle of consequī "to come after, succeed in time, follow as a necessary consequence" + -īvus -ive — more at consequent entry 2

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

consecutive

adjective

con·​sec·​u·​tive kən-ˈsek-(y)ət-iv 

: following one after the other in order

consecutively adverb

Etymology

from French consécutif "following in a series, consecutive," from Latin consecutus, past participle of consequi "to follow," from con, com- "with, together" and sequi "to follow" — related to sequel

Legal Definition

consecutive

adjective

con·​sec·​u·​tive

: following one after the other in order

consecutively adverb