First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1follow
verb fol·low \ˈfä-(ˌ)lō\
: to go or come after or behind (someone or something)
: to go after or behind (someone) secretly and watch to find out what happens
: to come after (something) in time or place or as part of a series
Full Definition of FOLLOW
transitive verb
1
: to go, proceed, or come after <followed the guide>
2
a : to engage in as a calling or way of life : pursue <wheat-growing is generally followed here> b : to walk or proceed along <follow a path>
3
a : to be or act in accordance with <follow directions> b : to accept as authority : obey <followed his conscience>
4
a : to pursue in an effort to overtake b : to seek to attain <follow knowledge>
5
: to come into existence or take place as a result or consequence of <disaster followed the blunder>
6
a : to come or take place after in time, sequence, or order b : to cause to be followed <followed dinner with a liqueur>
7
: to copy after : imitate
8
a : to watch steadily <followed the flight of the ball> b : to keep the mind on <follow a speech> c : to attend closely to : keep abreast of <followed his career with interest> d : to understand the sense or logic of (as a line of thought)
intransitive verb
1
: to go or come after a person or thing in place, time, or sequence
2
: to result or occur as a consequence, effect, or inference
— as follows
: as comes next —used impersonally
— follow one's nose
1
: to go in a straight or obvious course
2
: to proceed without plan or reflection : obey one's instincts
— follow suit
1
: to play a card of the same suit as the card led
2
: to follow an example set
See follow defined for English-language learners
See follow defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of FOLLOW
Middle English folwen, from Old English folgian; akin to Old High German folgēn to follow
Synonym Discussion of FOLLOW
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>.
synonyms see in addition chase
2follow
noun
FOLLOW Defined for Kids
follow
verb fol·low \ˈfä-lō\
fol·lowedfol·low·ing
Definition of FOLLOW for Kids
1
: to go or come after or behind <The dog followed the children home.> <Dessert followed dinner.>
2
: to come after in time or place <Spring follows winter.>
3
: to go on the track of <Police followed a clue.>
4
: to go along or beside <Follow that path.>
5
: to be led or guided by : obey <Follow the instructions.>
6
: to result from <Panic followed the fire.>
7
: to work in or at something as a way of life <He followed the sea.>
8
: to watch or pay attention to <Just follow the bouncing ball.>
9
: understand 1 <I'm not following this story.>
— fol·low·er \ˈfäl-ə-wər\ noun
— follow suit
1
: to play a card that belongs to the same group (as hearts) as the one first played
2
: to do the same thing someone else has just done
— follow through
: to complete something started <You must follow through on your promise.>
— follow up
: to take additional similar or related action <I followed up my letter with a phone call.>
Learn More About FOLLOW
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: follow blockPrevious Word in the Dictionary: follisAll Words Near: follow
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up follow? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).