Inconsequential: meaning, definitions and examples

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inconsequential

 

[ˌɪnkɑːnˌsɪˈkwɛnʃəl ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

in a sentence

Not important or significant; lacking relevance or importance.

Synonyms

insignificant, minor, negligible, trivial, unimportant.

Examples of usage

  • The inconsequential details of the story were easily forgotten.
  • His actions seemed inconsequential in the grand scheme of things.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word originates from Latin 'in-' meaning 'not' and 'consequentialis' meaning 'following' or 'resulting'.
  • It started to appear in the English language in the 19th century, initially used in philosophical texts.
  • The prefix 'in-' often denotes negation, transforming the meaning of 'consequential' into its opposite.

Psychology

  • In decision-making, people often overlook inconsequential details, focusing on more significant aspects.
  • Research shows that when people are faced with inconsequential choices, they may experience analysis paralysis due to the perceived lack of importance.
  • Understanding what is inconsequential helps reduce anxiety in stressful situations by allowing us to prioritize.

Pop Culture

  • In films and books, inconsequential moments often provide comic relief or develop character without driving the main plot forward.
  • The term is frequently used in social media discussions to describe trivial controversies that lack real importance.
  • Inconsequential characters in stories often serve to highlight the main character's journey by comparison.

Education

  • In academic writing, identifying inconsequential arguments can help students sharpen their thesis and make their writing more persuasive.
  • Teachers often emphasize the importance of focusing on consequential decisions in life-skills classes, helping students distinguish between important and less important issues.
  • Promoting critical thinking skills can allow students to better identify inconsequential information in research.

Translations

Translations of the word "inconsequential" in other languages:

🇵🇹 insignificante

🇮🇳 महत्वहीन

🇩🇪 unbedeutend

🇮🇩 tidak penting

🇺🇦 незначний

🇵🇱 nieistotny

🇯🇵 些細な

🇫🇷 insignifiant

🇪🇸 insignificante

🇹🇷 önemsiz

🇰🇷 사소한

🇸🇦 غير مهم

🇨🇿 nepodstatný

🇸🇰 nepodstatný

🇨🇳 无关紧要

🇸🇮 nepomemben

🇮🇸 ómerkilegt

🇰🇿 маңызды емес

🇬🇪 უმნიშვნელო

🇦🇿 əhəmiyyətsiz

🇲🇽 insignificante

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,721, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.