sequential
gb/sɪkwˈɛnʃəl/ us/sɪkwˈɛnʃəl/
B2
English
~ 9700
egymást követő, sorrend szerinti, szekvenciális, soros
B2
1
Usage pattern:
sequential [steps/events/tasks/items]
The course is designed as a sequential set of lessons that build on each other.
A tanfolyamot egymásra épülő, egymást követő leckék sorozataként tervezték meg.
Please check that the files are named in sequential order before you upload them.
Kérlek, feltöltés előtt ellenőrizd, hogy a fájlnevek megfelelő sorrendben követik-e egymást.
The experiment followed a strictly sequential procedure to avoid mistakes.
Number the pages in sequential order so none of them get lost.
The story is told in a non‑sequential way, jumping between different years.
Learner examples
The teacher gave us a list of sequential steps to solve the problem.
A tanár adott nekünk egy listát a probléma megoldásához szükséges, egymást követő lépésekről.
These numbers are not sequential; some are missing.
Ezek a számok nem egymást követik; néhány hiányzik.
I watched the videos in sequential order from one to ten.
Write the events in sequential order from first to last.
The app shows you the tasks in a clear sequential list.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes mix up 'sequential' with 'consequential'. 'Sequential' means things come one after another in order. 'Consequential' means something is important or is a result of something. Also, some learners use 'sequence' as an adjective (e.g., 'sequence steps') instead of the correct 'sequential steps'.
Meaning
arranged or happening in order
Collocations
sequential order
|sequential steps
|sequential process
|sequential data
|sequential numbering
|sequential tasks
Synonyms
consecutive (Focuses on things coming one directly after another, often in time, without gaps.)
|
ordered (More general; means arranged in some order, not always clearly step‑by‑step like 'sequential'.)
|
serial (Often used in technical or formal contexts for items in a series, sometimes more mechanical in tone.)
Antonyms
random (Suggests no fixed order or pattern, the opposite of being in a clear sequence.)
|
nonlinear (Used especially for stories or explanations that do not move step‑by‑step in time or logic.)
Themes
logic
|education
|work
|time
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Happening or arranged one after another in a clear order.
Arranged or occurring in a specific order, one after another, usually in time or logical progression.
C1
TECHNICAL
2
soros
C1
Usage pattern:
sequential [processing/access/circuit/algorithm]
Traditional hard drives use sequential access, which can be slower than random access for some tasks.
A hagyományos merevlemezek szekvenciális hozzáférést használnak, ami egyes feladatoknál lassabb lehet a véletlen hozzáférésnél.
The program relies on sequential processing, so it cannot handle multiple requests at once.
A program szekvenciális feldolgozásra épül, ezért nem tud egyszerre több kérést kezelni.
Engineers replaced the old sequential circuit with a faster parallel design.
In this database, records are stored in sequential order on the disk.
Sequential algorithms are easier to design but may not fully use modern multi‑core processors.
Learner examples
This computer uses sequential processing to handle each task one by one.
Ez a számítógép szekvenciális feldolgozással kezeli a feladatokat, vagyis egyenként dolgozza fel őket.
A DVD player usually reads data in a mostly sequential way.
A DVD-lejátszó általában többnyire szekvenciális módon olvassa az adatokat.
Parallel code can be faster than simple sequential code.
The old system only allowed sequential access to the records.
We changed the program from sequential to parallel processing.
Common mistake:
Learners may assume 'sequential' in technical contexts always means 'slow', but it only describes the order of operations (one after another), not the absolute speed. Another confusion is treating 'sequential access' and 'random access' as the same; in fact, they are contrasting ways of reaching data.
Meaning
non-parallel, one-by-one processing
Collocations
sequential access
|sequential processing
|sequential circuit
|sequential algorithm
Synonyms
serial (Very close in technical contexts; often used for data or processing handled one bit or item at a time.)
|
linear (Highlights a simple one‑direction flow, but may be broader and less strictly about timing than 'sequential'.)
Antonyms
parallel (In computing or electronics, refers to tasks or signals handled at the same time, the opposite of 'sequential'.)
|
random-access (In memory and storage, means you can reach any item directly, not by moving through them sequentially.)
Themes
technology
|science
Definition
In technical subjects, working with things one by one instead of many at the same time.
In computing, electronics, or related fields, processing or accessing items one after another rather than simultaneously or at random.
Grammar
Dictionary form
sequential
IPA
GB/sɪkwˈɛnʃəl/
US/sɪkwˈɛnʃəl/
Syllables & stress
se - quen - tial (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (quen)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: sequential
Word family
Expressions
in sequential order
1/ˈɪn sɪkwˈɛnʃəl ˈɔɹdɚ/
fixed phrase
arranged one after another
Arranged from first to last without skipping any item.
Examples
- Please put the photos in sequential order before we scan them.
- The teacher asked us to list the events in sequential order.
- Make sure the invoices are filed in sequential order by date.
sequential access
1/sɪkwˈɛnʃəl ˈæksˌɛs/
fixed phrase
technical
reading data one by one
In computing, a way of reading or writing data where you go through items one after another, in order.
Examples
- Tape drives use sequential access, which makes jumping to the end of the file slow.
- Because the file format is based on sequential access, you must read each record in order.
- Older backup systems often rely on sequential access storage.
sequential art
1/sɪkwˈɛnʃəl ˈɑɹt/
fixed phrase
storytelling through ordered images
Art that tells a story with pictures shown in a clear order, like in comics or storyboards.
Examples
- Comics are a popular form of sequential art.
- She teaches a class on the history of sequential art and graphic novels.
- Storyboards are an example of sequential art used in filmmaking.
sequential circuit
1/sɪkwˈɛnʃəl sˈɚkɪt/
fixed phrase
technical
circuit with memory of past inputs
An electronic circuit where the output depends on both the current signal and what happened before.
Examples
- A flip‑flop is a basic building block of a sequential circuit.
- In digital design, you must understand both combinational and sequential circuits.
- The engineer redesigned the sequential circuit to reduce power use.
sequential order
1/sɪkwˈɛnʃəl ˈɔɹdɚ/
fixed phrase
step-by-step arrangement
A way of arranging things so that each one follows the one before it in a clear order.
Examples
- The chapters are not in sequential order, which can confuse new readers.
- Put the tickets into sequential order so we can see which ones are missing.
- The log entries should appear in strict sequential order.
sequential processing
1/sɪkwˈɛnʃəl pɹˈɑsɛsɪŋ/
fixed phrase
technical
handling tasks one after another
In computing, doing tasks one after another instead of at the same time.
Examples
- The old system uses sequential processing and cannot take full advantage of multi‑core CPUs.
- Sequential processing is easier to debug but may be slower for large workloads.
- We converted the algorithm from sequential processing to a parallel version.
sequential steps
1/sɪkwˈɛnʃəl stˈɛps/
fixed phrase
ordered actions in a process
A series of actions that you must do one after another in a set order.
Examples
- The recipe gives you clear sequential steps to follow.
- Learning to drive involves several sequential steps, from theory to practice.
- The safety manual lists the sequential steps for shutting down the machine.