following
11 synonyms and 0 antonyms for following, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Coming next, whether in a sequence, list, or in time.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use following
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
Formed from "follow" plus the "-ing" ending.
Full origin of following →Frequently asked questions
What does “following” mean?
The word “following” means coming next, whether in a sequence, list, or in time. In plain terms, what comes next, or "after" something happened, or a group of supporters/fans.
How do you pronounce “following”?
“Following” is pronounced FO-loh-ihng (/ˈfɑloʊɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “following” in a sentence?
Here is “following” used in a sentence: “Please read the following instructions carefully.”
What part of speech is “following”?
Depending on how it is used, “following” can be an adjective, a preposition and a noun.
Is “following” a common word?
“Following” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “following” have?
“Following” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: coming next, whether in a sequence, list, or in time.
What is the difference between 'following' and 'previous'?
'Following' points forward to what comes next: 'the following chapter' is the one after this. 'Previous' points backward to what came before: 'the previous chapter' is the one you have just left. They are opposites, one looking ahead in a sequence and the other looking behind.
What does 'the following' mean?
'The following' introduces whatever comes next — usually a list, quotation, or example: 'Please bring the following items.' It tells the reader to look just ahead on the page or in the sequence. Used on its own as a noun, 'the following' simply means the things about to be mentioned.
What is an example of 'following' used as an adjective?
You might say 'We met again the following week,' meaning the week after, or 'See the following page' to point readers onward. Other examples include 'the following morning' and 'the following results.' In each case it marks whatever comes next in time, order, or a list.