English Reference
noun

sequel

n.
US /ˈsikwəɫ/ UK /sˈiːkwəl/ se·quel UK spelling sequel's, sequel's

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate

    a book, film, or play that continues a story started in an earlier one.

    a narrative work that continues the story or develops the theme of an earlier one.

    Simple

    The first movie was a huge success, so the studio quickly filmed a sequel.

    In context

    Critics argued that the sequel failed to capture the original film's charm, despite having a significantly larger production budget.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

    something that happens as a result of an earlier event.

    a circumstance or event that follows as a consequence or result of a previous occurrence.

    Simple

    The riots were a tragic sequel to the disputed election results.

    In context

    The economic downturn was a painful sequel to years of reckless lending and insufficient market regulation.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced AcademicFormal

    the part of a piece of writing that follows later.

    the remainder of a text or discourse; frequently used in the phrase 'in the sequel' to refer to subsequent sections of an argument.

    Simple

    As we shall see in the sequel, this theory has several flaws.

    In context

    The author introduces the primary characters in the opening chapter and develops their complex motivations further in the sequel.

    Usage

    Almost exclusively used in the fixed phrase 'in the sequel'.


From Middle English sequele, sequelle, sequile, from Middle French sequele, sequelle and its etymon, Latin sequēla, from sequī (“to follow”). Doublet of sequela.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Latin sequēla
Level B1 · Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated