Sequence — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈsē-kwən(t)s/ se·quence

Meaning & Definition of Sequence

Sequence (noun)

  1. a hymn in irregular meter between the gradual and Gospel in masses for special occasions (such as Easter)
  2. a continuous or connected series
  3. an extended series of poems united by a single theme

Sequence (verb)

  1. to arrange in a sequence
  2. to determine the sequence of chemical constituents (such as amino-acid residues or nucleic-acid bases) in

Sequence (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a condition or occurrence traceable to a cause

    "the attempt to help was a natural sequence to her charitable nature"

    similar: aftereffect, aftermath, backwash, child, conclusion, consequence, corollary, development, effect, fate, fruit, issue, outcome, outgrowth, precipitate, product, result, resultant, sequel, upshot, matter of course
    related: ramification, denouement, echo, implication, repercussion, afterclap, afterglow, aftershock, blowback, by-product, fallout, offshoot, ripple, side effect, spin-off
    opposite: antecedent, causation, cause, occasion, reason
    near: consideration, determinant, factor, base, basis, foundation, ground, groundwork, impetus, incentive, inspiration, instigation, stimulus, mother, origin, root, source, spring

  2. a series of things linked together

    "a sequence of events that no one predicted"

    similar: catena, catenation, chain, concatenation, consecution, nexus, progression, string, train
    related: chain reaction, belt, circle, cycle, vicious circle, continuum, gamut, gauntlet, scale, spectrum, flow, river, stream, file, line, queue, range, row, succession

  3. the way objects in space or events in time are arranged or follow one another

    "police are trying to reconstruct the sequence of events"

    similar: arrangement, array, disposal, disposition, distribution, order, ordering, setup
    related: continuity, precedence, priority, chain, procession, progression, succession, series, aligning, alignment, lining up, design, layout, pattern, structure, system
    near: confusion, disorder, disorganization, disruption, upset, disconnection, disjointedness

Sequence (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in prioritize, hierarchize

    similar: hierarchize, prioritize, alphabetize, file, grade, rank, rate, arrange, array, categorize, classify, codify, dispose, draw up, lay out, marshal, order, organize, range, sort, systematize, isolate, separate, unscramble, align, cue, line, line up, queue, display, map (out), set out
    opposite: derange, disarrange, disarray, disorder, mess (up), muss (up), rumple, upset

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Sequence

The most common words with a similar meaning to Sequence:

aftereffect, aftermath, backwash, child, conclusion, consequence, corollary, development, effect, fate, fruit, issue, outcome, outgrowth, precipitate, product, result, resultant, sequel, upshot, catena, catenation, chain, concatenation, consecution, nexus, progression, string, train, arrangement, array, disposal, disposition, distribution, order, ordering, setup, matter of course, hierarchize, prioritize

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Sequence

Words with the opposite meaning of Sequence:

antecedent, causation, cause, occasion, reason, derange, disarrange, disarray, disorder, mess (up), muss (up), rumple, upset

Related Words for Sequence

ramification, denouement, echo, implication, repercussion, afterclap, afterglow, aftershock, blowback, by-product, fallout, offshoot, ripple, side effect, spin-off, chain reaction, belt, circle, cycle, vicious circle, continuum, gamut, gauntlet, scale, spectrum, flow, river, stream, row, succession

Near Antonyms of Sequence

consideration, determinant, factor, base, basis, foundation, ground, groundwork, impetus, incentive, inspiration, instigation, stimulus, mother, origin, root, source, spring, confusion, disorganization, disruption, disconnection, disjointedness

Word Forms of Sequence

Inflections: sequenced, sequencing

Origin & Etymology of Sequence

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin sequentia, from Late Latin, sequel, literally, act of following, from Latin sequent-, sequens, present participle of sequi

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Sequence

Words & Phrases Containing Sequence

Cauchy sequence, main sequence, sonnet sequence, out of sequence

Frequently Asked Questions about Sequence

What does "Sequence" mean?

"Sequence" means a hymn in irregular meter between the gradual and Gospel in masses for special occasions (such as Easter). As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a hymn in irregular meter between the gradual and Gospel in masses for special occasions (such as Easter). It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Sequence"?

Other words for "Sequence" include aftereffect, aftermath, backwash, child, conclusion, consequence, corollary and development. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Sequence" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Sequence"?

There are 111 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Sequence". Common alternatives include aftereffect, aftermath, backwash, child, conclusion, consequence, corollary, development, effect and fate.

What is the opposite of "Sequence"?

Antonyms of "Sequence" include antecedent, causation, cause, occasion, reason, derange, disarrange and disarray. Near antonyms include consideration, determinant, factor and base.

How do you use "Sequence" in a sentence?

Examples of "Sequence" in a sentence: "the attempt to help was a natural sequence to her charitable nature"; "a sequence of events that no one predicted"; "police are trying to reconstruct the sequence of events".

Is "Sequence" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Sequence" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Sequence" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Sequence" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+. It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts.

How do you pronounce "Sequence"?

"Sequence" is pronounced /ˈsē-kwən(t)s/ and divided into syllables as se·quence.