C1adjective10K+

Successive

UK /["/səkˈsesɪv/"]/US /["/səkˈsesɪv/"]/

Definition

following immediately one after the other

In simple words: Happening one after another without stopping.

Examples

  • This was their fourth successive win.
  • Successive governments have tried to tackle the problem.
  • There has been low rainfall for two successive years.
  • She grew less confident with every successive defeat.
  • The country experienced successive waves of invasion.
  • The road remained closed for the third successive day.
  • The text has been used by successive generations of medical students.

Usage notes

Use 'successive' to describe events or items that follow in order. It's commonly used in formal contexts, such as statistics or reports, but less appropriate in casual conversations.

Grammar pattern

successive + noun

Memory hint

Think of 'successive' as 'success + next' – each success follows the previous one.

Collocations

  • successive waves
  • successive generations
  • successive steps

Synonyms

  • consecutive

Antonyms

  • simultaneous
  • random

Common mistakes

  • Confusing 'successive' with 'successfull'.
  • Using 'successive' with a singular noun.
  • Overusing 'successive' in contexts where 'consecutive' might be more appropriate.