Successive: meaning, definitions and examples

Appropriate when referring to events or elements that follow one another in order, especially in a formal or technical context.

• He achieved five successive victories in the tournament.
• The team won the championship for three successive years.

Used when events or elements occur one after another without any interruptions in between. Typically used in everyday conversation.

• He worked ten consecutive hours without a break.
• This is the third consecutive day of rain.

Used when emphasizing the specific order or sequence of events or elements. Often used in technical or scientific contexts.

• Please follow the sequential steps to complete the experiment.
• The chapters should be read in sequential order.

Refers to something that happens without any breaks or interruptions. Often used in a broader sense, not limited to a series of events.

• The machine operates 24/7, providing continuous service.
• She has been in continuous pain since the accident.

Used when referring to things that follow one after another without interruption, often in a series.

• He won three successive championships.
• The country experienced ten successive years of economic growth.

Used for events, days, or numbers that follow one another in regular order, such as back-to-back occurrences.

• She has worked for ten consecutive days.
• The team won five consecutive games.

Used when events or steps are in a specific order, like in a process or a sequence.

• The tasks must be completed in a sequential manner.
• Please follow the sequential steps outlined in the manual.

Used when describing something that is unbroken or uninterrupted over time.

• The machine has been running for a continuous 24 hours.
• Continuous rain caused the river to overflow.