Successive: Definition, Examples, and Usage Guide

Meaning 1：consecutive (successive)

successive 🔊

/səkˈsɛsɪv/

adj.

Describes things or events that come directly one after another, without a break.

Successive dominoes falling in a chain reaction sequence

consecutive 🔊

➕

/kənˈsɛkjʊtɪv/

adj.

Describing things that happen or exist one after the other without interruption.

📁 Category：Time & Dates 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'successivus', from 'sub-' (under) + 'cedere' (to go).

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'success' + 'ive' — successive successes come one after another without break.

📖 Example

The team celebrated their successive wins in the tournament, each victory boosting their confidence. 🔊 The team celebrated their successive wins in the tournament, each victory boosting their confidence.

🔗 Collocations

successive days – days that follow one after another without a gap

successive governments – governments that hold power one after the other

successive attempts – attempts made in sequence, one after the other

🔄 Synonyms

consecutive (adj.) – Following in uninterrupted order; very close in meaning to successive.

sequential (adj.) – Arranged in a particular order, especially one after the other.

uninterrupted (adj.) – Without any break or pause; continuous in sequence.

🚫 Antonyms

simultaneous (adj.) – Happening at the same time, not one after another.

intermittent (adj.) – Occurring at irregular intervals; not continuous or successive.

alternating (adj.) – Occurring in turns; not in a direct sequential order.

🌱 Derivatives

successively (adv.) – In a consecutive manner, one after another.

succession (n.) – A series of people or things coming one after another.

successor (n.) – A person who follows another in a position or role.

📖 Cultural Story

Derives from Latin 'successus', past participle of 'succedere' meaning 'to go after'. Entered English in the 15th century, often used in legal and chronological contexts.