Sequence is a noun referring to an ordered succession of things or events, or a particular order in which related things follow one another. It implies a logical progression or series, often used in mathematics, programming, and narrative contexts. It can also describe a sequence of musical or visual events, arranged according to a recognizable pattern.
"The DNA sequence determines the genetic instructions for living organisms."
"The dance routine followed a precise sequence of steps."
"A sequence of errors led to the eventual failure of the project."
"She arranged the photos in a sequence that told a story from start to finish."
The word sequence comes from the Latin sequentia, from sequi, meaning to follow. The English form entered Middle English via Old French sequence, which itself derived from Latin sequi. Historically, sequentia was used in legal and mathematical contexts to denote a following or sequence of steps. In medieval times, the term appeared in religious Latin liturgy as a portion following introductory hymns. By the 16th century, English speakers adopted sequence to describe ordered arrangements beyond liturgy, extending its use to mathematics, music, storytelling, and later computing. The core sense—an ordered following—remains unchanged, but modern usage spans diverse fields, including genetics (DNA sequence), computer science (instruction sequences), and choreography (sequence of moves). The term’s first known English print usage appears in the 15th–16th centuries, with evidence in scholarly works that discuss logical order and progression. Over time, “sequence” has grown to pair with adjectives like numerical, nutritional, or narrative, but the foundational concept of one thing following another persists in all domains.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Sequence" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Sequence" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Sequence" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "Sequence"
-nce sounds
-nse sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
Pronounce as /ˈsiː.kwəns/ (US/UK). The first syllable carries primary stress: SEE. The second syllable reduces to /kwə/ as in quick with a schwa, then final /ns/. Mouth: start with a high front tense vowel for SEE, then a rounded /kw/ onset, a relaxed /ə/ vowel, and a clear final /ns/. Audio examples: you can compare with Forvo or YouGlish for native models.
Common errors: (1) Misplacing stress on the second syllable, pronouncing siˈkwəns or sɪˈkwɛns; (2) Mispronouncing the /kw/ cluster as /k/ or separating the /kw/ too much as /k-w/; (3) Dropping the final /s/ sound or making it /z/. Correction tips: practice SEE + /kwəns/ together with a light, quick /kw/ onset, keep /ˈsiː/ as a stable strong syllable, and finalize with a crisp /s/ rather than a voiced /z/ in careful speech.
US/UK/AU share /ˈsiː.kwəns/, but rhoticity affects surrounding sounds in connected speech. American tends to be slightly more open with /iː/ and may produce a marginally clearer /r/ only in linked speech; UK often preserves clipped /ˈsiː.kwəns/ with less vowel length variation; Australian tends to be flatter with vowel height and may have weaker final /s/ or a subtle /ə/ replacement. Overall, the primary stress and the /kw/ onset stay consistent across accents.
The difficulty lies in the consonant cluster /kw/ after a long high vowel /iː/ and the final /ns/ sequence, which requires precise tongue position and airflow. Beginners often misplace the /k/ and /w/ together, or default to /s/ after the long vowel. Additionally, maintaining strong primary stress on the first syllable while not over-enunciating the second syllable can be tricky in rapid speech.
A key unique point is the transition from the long /iː/ vowel to the /kw/ onset; the tongue moves quickly from high front to a seat for /k/ with a rounded /w/ immediately following, so avoid delaying /kw/ or breaking it with an extra vowel. Keeping the diphthong stable at the start helps avoid a mispronunciation like /ˈsɪ.kwəns/ or /ˈsiːe.kwəns/.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "Sequence"!
No related words found
