ensue

C1 Topic:Cause, Change & Process

US /ɪnˈsuː/ UK /ɪnˈsjuː/ See IPA manual

Freq #46159

Meanings

1

verb
To happen afterwards as a result or consequence.

When the lights went out, total chaos ensued.
2

verb
To follow in time; to come next.

A long silence ensued after she asked the question.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to happen afterwards as a... arise follow result

2 verb · to follow in time; to come... come after

More pursue succeed

Word family

Forms ensuedensuesensuing

Derived forms ensuable

Etymology

From Old French ensu-, stem of some conjugated forms of ensuivre (“follow close upon, come afterward”) (French ensuivre), from Latin īnsequere, from īnsequi (“to pursue, follow, follow after; come next”), from in- (“upon”) (see in-) + sequi (“follow”) (see sequel).

*sekʷ- Proto-Indo-European

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Cause, Change & Process

External links

# ensue

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C1
**Part of speech:** verb
**IPA (US):** /ɪnˈsuː/
**IPA (UK):** /ɪnˈsjuː/
**Frequency rank:** 46159

## Meanings
1. To happen afterwards as a result or consequence.
2. To follow in time; to come next.

## Examples
- When the lights went out, total chaos ensued.
- A long silence ensued after she asked the question.

## Synonyms
- follow
- pursue
- succeed

## Derived Forms
- ensuable

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: *sekʷ-

## Etymology
From Old French ensu-, stem of some conjugated forms of ensuivre (“follow close upon, come afterward”) (French ensuivre), from Latin īnsequere, from īnsequi (“to pursue, follow, follow after; come next”), from in- (“upon”) (see in-) + sequi (“follow”) (see sequel).

## AI Etymology
Ensue comes from Old French ensu-, stem of some conjugated forms of ensuivre (“follow close upon, come afterward”) (French ensuivre), from Latin īnsequere, from īnsequi (“to pursue, follow, follow after; come next”), from in- (“upon”) (see in-) + sequi (“follow”) (see sequel). The historical chain includes *sekʷ- (Proto-Indo-European). The surrounding word family includes derived forms such as ensuable. In present use it covers to happen afterwards as a result or consequence and to follow in time; to come next.

## Topics
- Cause, Change & Process

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