First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
ensue
verb en·sue \in-ˈsü, en-\
: to come at a later time : to happen as a result
en·sueden·su·ing
Full Definition of ENSUE
transitive verb
: to strive to attain : pursue <I wander, seeking peace, and ensuing it — Rupert Brooke>
intransitive verb
: to take place afterward or as a result
See ensue defined for English-language learners
See ensue defined for kids
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Origin of ENSUE
Middle English, from Anglo-French ensivre (3d singular ensiut), from en- + sivre to follow — more at sue
Synonym Discussion of ENSUE
follow, succeed, ensue, supervene mean to come after something or someone. follow may apply to a coming after in time, position, or logical sequence <speeches followed the dinner>. succeed implies a coming after immediately in a sequence determined by natural order, inheritance, election, or laws of rank <she succeeded her father as head of the business>. ensue commonly suggests a logical consequence or naturally expected development <after the talk a general discussion ensued>. supervene suggests the following or beginning of something unforeseen or unpredictable <unable to continue because of supervening circumstances>.
Rhymes with ENSUE
accrue, achoo, adieu, ado, Agnew, aircrew, airscrew, anew, askew, babu, Baku, bamboo, battu, battue, bayou, bedew, beshrew, bestrew, bijou, boo-boo, boubou, brand-new, breakthrough, burgoo, cachou, can-do, canoe, caoutchouc, Carew, Cebu, Chonju, construe, Corfu, corkscrew, coypu, CQ, cuckoo, curfew, debut, Depew, doo-doo, ecu, endue, eschew, floor-through, fondue, fordo, Gansu, Gentoo, Gifu, goo-goo, GQ, ground crew, gumshoe, guru, hairdo, hereto, Hindu, home brew, Honshu, horseshoe, how-to, HQ, Hutu, igloo, imbrue, imbue, IQ, jackscrew, K2, Kansu, karoo, Karoo, kazoo, Khufu, kung fu, Kwangju, leadscrew, lean-to, long view, make-do, Matthew, me-too, mildew, milieu, miscue, misdo, muumuu, non-U, old-shoe, one-two, on view, outdo, perdu, Peru, poilu, prau, preview, pursue, purview, ragout, redo, renew, Renfrew, review, revue, rough-hew, run-through, sandshoe, Sardou, see-through, set-to, setscrew, shampoo, sinew, skiddoo, snafu, snowshoe, soft-shoe, span-new, subdue, surtout, taboo, Taegu, tattoo, thank-you, thereto, thumbscrew, to-do, too-too, tree shrew, undo, undue, unglue, unscrew, untrue, vatu, vendue, venue, virtu, voodoo, wahoo, walk-through, wherethrough, whereto, who's who, worldview, yahoo, yoo-hoo
ENSUING Defined for Kids
ensue
verb en·sue \in-ˈsü\
en·sueden·su·ing
Definition of ENSUE for Kids
: to come after in time or as a result : follow <The show ended, and a long standing ovation ensued.>
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