Meaning & use
results
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“results” is a form of “result”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounplural
The effects or outcomes that follow from an action, event or process.
Grammar: Often used in the plural for outcomes in general: the results were surprising.
Patterns
- results of something
- results from something
- results in something
The results of the new policy are already visible.
Her hard work finally produced results.
He was pleased with the results of the experiment.
nounplural
The marks or scores that show how someone performed in an exam or test.
Grammar: Often used with exam, test or school: the exam results arrive in August.
Patterns
- exam results
- test results
Students will receive their results by email.
The hospital called with her test results.
The school is proud of its excellent exam results.
nounpluralsport
The final scores or winners of sports matches and elections, as announced.
Grammar: Used as the heading for scoreboards: football results, election results.
Patterns
- election results
- football results
Fans checked the football results on their phones.
Election results will come in after midnight.
The newspaper published the weekend results.
nounpluralcomputing
The list of items a search or database returns when you look something up.
Grammar: Usually appears with search: search results.
Patterns
- search results
The first page of results showed several useful sites.
She scrolled through the results for a better price.
The results are sorted by date.
Word forms
| singular | result |
|---|
Common combinations
- get results
- A good coach knows how to get results from the team.
- produce results
- The new fertilizer produced results within weeks.
- exam results
- Exam results are published on Thursday.
- search results
- The search results were not relevant.
- as a result
- As a result, the flight was canceled.
Synonyms and how they differ
- outcomes
- Outcomes is more neutral and general, while results often implies something measurable.
- consequences
- Consequences stress what follows, usually something negative, while results can be good or bad.
- findings
- Findings are what research discovers, whereas results are what a test or process produces.
- scores
- Scores are numbers earned in a game or test, but results can also mean the overall outcome.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: results or consequences?
results vs consequences
Consequences usually suggest a serious or unwelcome effect, while results is neutral.
Practice
The laboratory will email the patient's test ____ on Friday.
Choose one answer.
Test results are the outcomes of a test. Reasons would mean explanations, and reactions or resolves do not name the outcome.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “results”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.