sequel

noun

se·​quel ˈsē-kwəl 

 also  -ˌkwel

1

: consequence, result

2

a

: subsequent development

b

: the next installment (as of a speech or story)

especially : a literary, cinematic, or televised work continuing the course of a story begun in a preceding one

Synonyms

• aftereffect
• aftermath
• backwash
• child
• conclusion
• consequence
• corollary
• development
• effect
• fate
• fruit
• issue
• outcome
• outgrowth
• precipitate
• product
• result
• resultant
• sequence
• upshot

Examples of sequel in a Sentence

The new film is a sequel to the very successful comedy that came out five years ago.

He is busy writing the book's sequel.

There is an interesting sequel to my date with her that I'll share with you later.

Recent Examples on the Web

Starring Sean Connery and Christopher Lambert, the 1986 action-adventure fantasy film grossed just $5.9 million but became a popular title in home video and pay-TV windows, spawning multiple sequels. —Dade Hayes, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2025

The sequel, which fast-forwards seven years from the original, finds teenage Dhunu at a crossroads between her childhood dreams and the harsh realities of adulthood. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Feb. 2025

Not only does this new ad kind of miss the point of the original scene, but its new iteration is predictable as a Fast and Furious sequel – right down to tapping Gen Z-age actress Sydney Sweeney to deliver the punchline originally dropped by director Rob Reiner's mother, Estelle. —Eric Deggans, NPR, 9 Feb. 2025

After rising to fame in the original Ghostbusters movie and sequel in the 1980s, the actor starred in 2021's Ghostbusters: Afterlife and 2024's Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. —Jordana Comiter, People.com, 8 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French sequele, from Latin sequela, from sequi to follow — more at sue

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

sequel

noun

se·​quel ˈsē-kwəl 

1

: an event that follows or comes afterward : result

2

: a book, motion picture, or television program that continues a story begun in a preceding one

Etymology

Middle English sequel, sequele "follower, series," from early French sequelle (same meaning), from Latin sequella, sequela "follower," from sequi "to follow" — related to consecutive, pursue, second entry 1, sequence

Medical Definition

sequel

noun

se·​quel

ˈsē-kwəl also -ˌkwel

: sequela

gangrene is … a sequel of wounds

—Robert Chawner