What does consequential mean?
Consequential is an adjective with two closely related meanings. Its dominant modern sense describes something important or significant because it is likely to have major effects: a consequential election, a consequential decision, a consequential figure. A second sense, more formal and frequent in legal contexts, means following as a result or consequence of something else, as in 'consequential damages' or 'consequential losses'. The word derives from the Latin consequi, meaning 'to follow closely', via the noun 'consequence', and entered English in the early seventeenth century. It carries a serious, weighty tone and appears most often in journalism, political analysis, and law rather than casual conversation. Its natural antonym is 'inconsequential'. Because it can mean both 'resulting from' and 'leading to important results', context determines which reading applies, though in everyday use the sense of importance now predominates.
Important or significant, especially because of having far-reaching effects.
"It proved to be the most consequential speech of his career."
Often used with superlatives: 'most consequential', 'highly consequential'.
Following as a result or consequence of something.
"The company was liable for any consequential losses suffered by its client."
Especially common in legal and contractual English.
In American law, 'consequential damages' is such an entrenched term that it appears in thousands of contracts — making this adjective one of the most consequential words in legal paperwork.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of consequential
Consequential derives from the Latin verb consequi ('to follow closely'), formed from com- ('together') + sequi ('to follow'). It entered English in the early seventeenth century, built on the noun 'consequence' plus the adjectival suffix '-al'. It shares its Latin root with words such as 'sequence', 'subsequent', 'sequel', and 'second' — all descendants of sequi, reflecting the core idea of following.
Related word forms
How consequential is actually used
Formal to neutral in register; common in journalism, law, and political commentary. In legal usage, especially in contract law, 'consequential damages' or 'consequential loss' has a specific technical meaning: indirect losses (such as lost profits) arising from a breach, as opposed to direct damages.
Easily confused with consequential
'Consequent' describes something that follows directly as a result of something else, while 'consequential' more broadly means either resulting from something or being important enough to have major effects.