Ensue Meaning
/ɪnˈsjuː/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo follow (a leader, inclination etc.).
verbTo follow (in time), to be subsequent to.
Sentence Examples
Much hilarity will then ensue.
Tears ensue, / and wailing, shrill as though her heart would bleed.
Chaos will ensue if the power grid goes down tonight.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
After the controversial decision, widespread protests will ____ across the city.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Chaos is likely to ____ if the power grid fails during the winter storm.
Word Origin & History
From Old French ensu-, stem of some conjugated forms of ensuivre (“follow close upon, come afterward”) (French ensuivre), from Latin īnsequere, from īnsequi (“to pursue, follow, follow after; come next”), from in- (“upon”) (see in-) + sequi (“follow”) (see sequel).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"to ripenesse of mans state they grew: / Then shewing forth signes of their fathers blood, / They loued armes, and knighthood did ensew, / Seeking aduentures [...]."
— 1596, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene, IV.ii:
"To ensue his example in doynge the like mischiefe."
— 1606, G. W. Justine, transl., The Historie of Justine:
"Oh how many changes are like to ensue this reformation!"
— 1603, Michel de Montaigne, translated by John Florio, Essays, III.11:
"After ſo bad a beginning, whats like to inſue?"
— 1593, anonymous author, The Life and Death of Iacke Straw […], →OCLC, Act I:
"Nor, having married coach and bogie design successfully, does it follow that good riding will ensue, whatever the track carrying it—as the performance of B.R. standard coaches on flat-bottom, concrete-sleepered track bears witness."
— 1960 December, “Talking of Trains: The riding of B.R. coaches”, in Trains Illustrated, page 705:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
After the controversial decision, widespread protests will ____ across the city.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Chaos is likely to ____ if the power grid fails during the winter storm.