Successive
/səkˈsesɪv/
Definitions
Following one after another in a continuous sequence.
/səkˈsesɪv/
Following in order; one after another.
The team won three successive games.
💡 Simply: Imagine a line of dominoes falling. Each one is a successive event, happening one right after the other.
👶 For kids: When things happen one after the other, like counting 1, 2, 3 – those are successive numbers!
More Examples
She took successive bites of the apple.
The government implemented successive policies to stimulate the economy.
The company experienced successive years of losses, leading to its eventual bankruptcy.
How It's Used
"The experiment was performed on three successive days."
"The successive kings of France faced increasing unrest."
"The company reported successive quarters of strong growth."
Synonyms & Antonyms
From Latin *successivus*, meaning 'following' or 'succeeding', derived from *succedere* ('to follow after, succeed').
The word 'successive' has been used since the 16th century, primarily in formal writing to denote a continuous sequence.
Memory tip
Think of a *succession* of events, one *succeeding* the other.
Word Origin
"to follow after, succeed"