Children's, Intermediate and Advanced Online English Dictionary & Thesaurus

Comprehensive
Dictionary Suite
Help
Help
Help
 
   
Display options
Show syllables
Show Lookup History
Double-Click Lookup
  Show Spanish support
 
Pronunciation
Wordsmyth
  Phonics
  IPA
 
Entry formats
Standard
  Classic
   

fol·low

follow

pronunciation:
fa lo
parts of speech:
transitive verb, intransitive verb, noun
phrases:
follow in someone's footsteps, follow up
features:
Word Builder
part of speech: transitive verb
inflections: followed, following, follows
definition 1: to come or go after or behind.
He followed me down the street.
 
antonyms:
precede
similar words:
succeed, tail, trail
definition 2: to move behind in order to catch; pursue.
The police followed the suspect for days.
synonyms:
chase, pursue
similar words:
course, dog, hound, hunt down, run down, shadow, stalk, tail, track, trail
definition 3: to move forward on or along.
Follow this road until you reach the city.
 
antonyms:
stray
similar words:
take
definition 4: to take place after.
A reception will follow the wedding.
antonyms:
precede
similar words:
succeed
definition 5: to comprehend or understand.
Do you follow my logic?
synonyms:
catch, comprehend, get, grasp, understand
definition 6: to copy or conform to.
Follow my example.Follow the instructions.
synonyms:
copy, observe
antonyms:
diverge, stray
similar words:
adopt, comply with, conform to, emulate, heed, imitate, mirror
definition 7: to pay attention to regularly.
He follows the news.
synonyms:
watch
similar words:
attend to, keep track of, observe, pursue
definition 8: to accept and obey as an authority, guide, or leader.
antonyms:
defy, rebel
similar words:
abide by, adhere to, advocate, defer to, obey, submit to, take
 
part of speech: intransitive verb
definition 1: to occur in sequential order after something else.
soon the night will follow
synonyms:
ensue
antonyms:
precede
similar words:
succeed, supervene
definition 2: to happen as the consequence of something else.
It follows from his theory that all writers are lazy.
synonyms:
ensue
similar words:
arise, proceed, result
definition 3: to proceed after someone else.
You go ahead, and I will follow.
antonyms:
lead, precede
similar words:
tag along, tail, trail
definition 4: to act at the direction of a leader.
antonyms:
lead
similar words:
adhere, obey, submit
phrase: follow in someone's footsteps
phrase: follow up
 
part of speech: noun
definition: the act or instance of following.
similar words:
chase, pursuit, succession
Word Builder: follow +
  • follower:
    a person who follows.