sequel: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral
Quick answer
What does “sequel” mean?
A book, film, or play that continues the story of a previous one.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A book, film, or play that continues the story of a previous one.
Something that happens after and is usually a result of a previous event.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant semantic differences. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Neutral; carries the same connotation of continuation in both dialects.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties, especially in media/entertainment contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “sequel” in a Sentence
sequel to + [noun phrase]the sequel + [verb phrase]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sequel” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The studio plans to sequel the hit film next year.
American English
- The studio plans to sequel the hit movie next year.
adverb
British English
- It was released sequel, a year later.
American English
- It was released sequel, a year later.
adjective
British English
- The sequel film outperformed the original.
American English
- The sequel movie outperformed the original.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used metaphorically: 'The merger was a sequel to their earlier partnership.'
Academic
Used in literary/film studies to discuss narrative continuity.
Everyday
Most common when discussing films, books, or TV shows.
Technical
In computing/databases, 'SQL' (Structured Query Language) is a homophone but unrelated term—potential for confusion.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sequel”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sequel”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sequel”
- Using 'sequel' for any event that comes after another (overextension). Confusing spelling with 'sequence'. Using 'sequel of' instead of 'sequel to'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it's metaphorical and slightly formal (e.g., 'The war and its tragic sequel'). In everyday speech, 'follow-up' or 'aftermath' is more common for events.
A sequel continues the story forwards in time. A prequel is a story set before the events of the original work.
No, it can be any subsequent part (e.g., the third film in a series is a sequel to the second). The first is always the 'original'.
It's pronounced SEE-kwul, with the stress on the first syllable. It rhymes with 'equal'.
A book, film, or play that continues the story of a previous one.
Sequel is usually neutral in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “in sequel to this (formal/literary)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: SEQUEL = SEQUENCE + ELement. A sequel is the next element in a sequence.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME/NARRATIVE IS A JOURNEY ('the next part of the journey'), CAUSALITY IS LINEAR NARRATIVE.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most accurate use of 'sequel'?