consequence

/ˈkɒn.sɪ.kwɛns/

//ˈkɒn.sɪ.kwɛns// noun

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"consequence" is a 11-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“consequence” is a regularly-used English word, ranked #6,347 in English word frequency and used as a noun.

#6,347
frequency rank, English
11
letters
17
tracked misspellings
2
confusable pairs

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - An effect; something that follows a cause as a result.

Visual similarity to commonly confused words

How many letter changes separate each confused pair (Levenshtein distance, normalized).

consequence vs consequent
82% similar
consequence vs consequences
92% similar

Source: PlainSpell confusable corpus (Wiktionary, CC BY-SA).

Key facts for consequence
PropertyValue
Headwordconsequence
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/ˈkɒn.sɪ.kwɛns/
Letters11
Frequency rank#6,347
Misspellings tracked17
Confusable pairs2
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “consequence” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). consequence lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

The English entry for consequence is 11 letters long, classified as a noun, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /ˈkɒn.sɪ.kwɛns/. Corpus data places it at rank #6,347 in overall English word frequency, indicating it appears regularly in written and spoken text. Wiktionary records 5 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

Our generated misspelling index lists 17 likely wrong-spelling variants for consequence, with forms such as "cconsequence", "cnosequence", and "conesquence". Every one of these variants traces to a single-character edit -- an added or dropped letter, a swapped consonant, or a vowel swap -- the kind of slip a spell-checker is built to catch. It also participates in 2 confusable-pair relationships, "consequent", "consequences", a pairing that trips writers up because the two words share enough sound or shape to blur together.

Etymologically, the entry records: From Middle English consequence, from Old French consequence, from Latin consequentia. While analysable as con- + sequence, its adjective form has a different origin. The correct English form is consequence, spelled C-O-N-S-E-Q-U-E-N-C-E.

Definition

  1. 1
    An effect; something that follows a cause as a result.
  2. 2
    An effect; something that follows a cause as a result.
  3. 3
    consecution; chain of causes and effects.
  4. 4
    conclusion, deduction or inference; the thing concluded.
  5. 5
    Importance, influence, or significance.

Etymology

From Middle English consequence, from Old French consequence, from Latin consequentia. While analysable as con- + sequence, its adjective form has a different origin.

Synonyms

aftercomerepercussionmomentdistinctionrankvalueimplication

This word in other languages

consecuencia(Español)conséquence(Français)Konsequenz(Deutsch)consequência(Português)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as: cconsequence,cnosequence,conesquence,connsequence,conseqeunce,conseqquence,consequance,consequecne,consequencce,consequenec,consequennce,consequnece,conseuqence,consqeuence,conssequence,cosnequence,ocnsequence

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of consequence - measured in single-character edits (insert, delete, or substitute a letter). Larger bars are easier to catch; one-edit slips are the sneakiest.

cconsequence1cnosequence2conesquence2connsequence1conseqeunce2conseqquence1consequance1consequecne2
Edit distance from "consequence"

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "consequence"?
"consequence" is spelled C-O-N-S-E-Q-U-E-N-C-E. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈkɒn.sɪ.kwɛns/.
What does "consequence" mean?
As a noun, "consequence" means: An effect; something that follows a cause as a result.
What words are commonly confused with "consequence"?
"consequence" is commonly confused with "consequent", "consequences". These words look or sound similar but have different meanings. PlainSpell provides detailed comparisons for each pair.
How do you pronounce "consequence"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "consequence" is /ˈkɒn.sɪ.kwɛns/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "consequence"?
From Middle English consequence, from Old French consequence, from Latin consequentia. While analysable as con- + sequence, its adjective form has a different origin. See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “consequence”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is C-O-N-S-E-Q-U-E-N-C-E - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ˈkɒn.sɪ.kwɛns/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Don't mix it up with “consequent” - see the side-by-side comparison. consequence vs consequent
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words
Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list