Sequential
/sɪˈkwɛnʃəl/
Definitions
Following a set order; arranged in a sequence.
/sɪˈkwɛnʃəl/
Following in a specific order.
The instructions were presented in a sequential format.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're building with LEGOs, and the instructions tell you to put brick A before brick B. That's a sequential process – things happen one after the other in a certain order!
👶 For kids: Happening in a certain order, like numbers counting up.
More Examples
The algorithm processes data in a sequential fashion.
He described the events in sequential order.
How It's Used
"The program executes code in a sequential manner."
"The story unfolded in a sequential timeline."
"Data was collected using sequential sampling methods."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
Antonyms
From Late Latin *sequentia* ("a following"), from Latin *sequi* ("to follow").
Used since the 17th century in scientific and philosophical contexts to denote orderly progression.
Memory tip
Think of a *sequence* of events or steps, and how they must follow each other in order. *Sequential* describes this type of ordered arrangement.
Word Origin
"to follow"