outcome

Compared meaning: something that happens because of something else (noun).

比较义项：结果（名词）。

• consequence

  A result that follows directly from an action, often serious or negative, especially when someone is responsible for causing it.

  直接由某个行为引起的结果，通常是较为严重或负面的，尤其是在有人需要为此负责的情况下。

  Being late every day will have consequences at your job.

  每天迟到会给你的工作带来后果。

• outcome 本词

  The final result of a process or event whose result was uncertain beforehand, such as a meeting, election, or decision.

  某个过程或事件最终产生的结果，该结果事先并不确定，例如会议、选举或某项决定的结果。

  We are still waiting to hear the outcome of the meeting.

  我们还在等着知道这次会议的结果。

• result

  The most general, neutral word for anything that happens because of something else; used for effort, tests, experiments, or any cause.

  最普通、最中性的词，泛指因某事而发生的任何结果，可用于努力、考试、实验或任何原因引起的结果，可褒可贬。

  She got a great result on her final exam after months of study.

  经过几个月的学习，她在期末考试中取得了优异的成绩。

• effect

  The influence or change that something produces, often paired with 'on'; common when describing how one thing affects another.

  某事物产生的影响或作用，常与“对…的影响”搭配使用，多用于描述一件事如何影响另一件事。

  The medicine had an immediate effect on her headache.

  这种药对她的头痛立刻产生了效果。

All four mean 'a result'. Consequence follows from an action, often serious or negative. Outcome is the result of an uncertain process, like an election. Result is a general word for anything caused by something else. Effect is the influence one thing has on another.

这四个词在“结果”这一意义上很接近，但语气和侧重点不同：consequence 强调由某行为直接引起、通常较为严重或负面的后果；outcome 强调事件或过程最终产生的结果，常用于结果事先不确定的场合；result 是最常用、最中性的词，可褒可贬；effect 强调某种原因对事物产生的影响或作用，常与“对…的影响”连用。