follow
pronunciation
How to pronounce follow in British English:
UK [ˈfɒləʊ]
How to pronounce follow in American English:
US [ˈfɑːloʊ]
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- Verb:
- to travel behind, go after, come after
- be later in time
- come as a logical consequence; follow logically
- travel along a certain course
- act in accordance with someone's rules, commands, or wishes
- come after in time, as a result
- behave in accordance or in agreement with
- be next
- choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans
- to bring something about at a later time than
- imitate in behavior; take as a model
- follow, discover, or ascertain the course of development of something
- follow with the eyes or the mind
- be the successor (of)
- perform an accompaniment to
- keep informed
- to be the product or result
- accept and follow the leadership or command or guidance of
- adhere to or practice
- work in a specific place, with a specific subject, or in a specific function
- keep under surveillance
- follow in or as if in pursuit
- grasp the meaning
- keep to
Word Origin
- follow
- follow: [OE] Follow is a widespread Germanic verb (German has folgen, for instance, Dutch volgen, Swedish följa, and Danish følge, pointing to a prehistoric West and North Germanic *flug-), but its ultimate origins are not known
- follow (v.)
- Middle English folwen, from Old English folgian, fylgian, fylgan "to accompany (especially as a disciple), move in the same direction as; follow after, pursue, move behind in the same direction," also "obey (a rule or law), conform to, act in accordance with; apply oneself to (a practice, trade, or calling)," from Proto-Germanic *fulg- (cognates: Old Saxon folgon, Old Frisian folgia, Middle Dutch volghen, Dutch volgen, Old High German folgen, German folgen, Old Norse fylgja "to follow"). Probably originally a compound, *full-gan, with a sense of "full-going," the sense then shifting to "serve, go with as an attendant" (compare fulfill). Related: Followed; following. Sense of "accept as leader or guide, obey or be subservient to" was in late Old English. Meaning "come after in time" is from c. 1200; meaning "to result from" (as effect from cause) is from c. 1200. Meaning "to keep up with mentally, comprehend" is from 1690s. Intransitive sense "come or go behind" is from mid-13c. To follow one's nose "go straight on" first attested 1590s. "The full phrase is, 'Follow your nose, and you are sure to go straight.' " [Farmer]. The children's game follow my leader is attested by that name from 1812 (as follow the leader by 1896).
Example
- 1. Does the charity follow ethical best practices ?
- 2. People will not follow those they do not trust .
- 3. Mr obama seems determined not to follow his example .
- 4. Some fear that other governments could follow suit .
- 5. You follow the word bursts of particular employees .