DictionaryAI

ensue

verb
USin-SOO/ɪnˈsuː/UKin-SYOO/ɪnˈsjuː/AUSen-SYOO/enˈsjʉː/

Formsensues, ensuing, ensued

3 meanings of ensue

Practice

  1. 1
    verbintransitive
    To happen afterward because of something that came before.

    Like the splash that comes right after a stone drops into water.

    After the referee's call, chaos ensued in the stands.

    If you ignore the safety rules, problems will ensue.

    Similarfollow, result, arise, develop, erupt

    Oppositeprecede

    Note
  2. 2
    verbobsoletetransitive
    To come right after something else in time.

    Like night that comes straight after day.

    A cold winter ensued the dry summer that year.

    Oh how many changes are like to ensue this reformation!
    1603, Michel de Montaigne, EssaysHere, ensue means come after, following this change.
    Note
  3. 3
    verbobsoletetransitive
    To follow a leader, an example, or your own feelings.

    Like ducklings that follow their mother wherever she goes.

    The soldiers ensued their captain into the burning city.

    To ensue his example in doynge the like mischiefe.
    1606, G. W. Justine, The Historie of JustineHere, ensue means follow, copying his example.
    Note

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Origin

From an Old French word ensuivre meaning "to follow soon after." It came from Latin, from in- ("upon") plus sequi ("to follow").