follow
FO-loh
Follow (verb) means to move behind someone or something, going in the same direction. Example: “The dog followed her everywhere she went.”
verb
1
To move behind someone or something, going in the same direction.
"The dog followed her everywhere she went."
"Follow this road until you reach the bridge."
"The ducklings followed their mother across the path in a neat line."
2
To act in accordance with instructions, rules, or a particular path or belief.
"Employees must follow the safety procedures at all times."
"Please follow the recipe carefully, or the cake may not rise."
"He always follows his doctor's advice about rest and exercise."
3
To understand or keep track of something as it happens.
"I couldn't follow his explanation — it was too technical."
"Sorry, I lost you there. I can't follow the plot of this film."
"Do you follow what the teacher is saying about fractions?"
4
To subscribe to updates from a person or account on social media.
"She followed her favorite author on social media."
"My brother follows several football clubs and gets their news every day."
"Thousands of people follow the bakery online for its daily specials."
5
To be a logical or natural result of something.
"It doesn't follow that because he's rich, he's happy."
"If the first number is larger, it follows that the second must be smaller."
"Higher prices follow naturally when fewer goods are available in the shops."
How to use follow
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo go after someone/something, to obey instructions, to understand, or to subscribe to someone online.
Common pairings
follow instructions
follow suit
follow someone on social media
as follows
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like follow.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- follows
- Third person singular
- follows
- Past tense
- followed
- Archaic forms
- followest, followedst, followeth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The dog _____ her everywhere she went.
Etymology
From Old English folgian ("to follow, pursue"), an old Germanic verb.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
precede
unfollow
Related words
Rhymes for follow
See all rhymes for follow →Frequently asked questions
What does “follow” mean?
The word “follow” means to move behind someone or something, going in the same direction. In plain terms, to go after someone/something, to obey instructions, to understand, or to subscribe to someone online.
How do you pronounce “follow”?
“Follow” is pronounced FO-loh (/ˈfɑloʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “follow” in a sentence?
Here is “follow” used in a sentence: “The dog followed her everywhere she went.”
What part of speech is “follow”?
“Follow” is a verb.
Where does the word “follow” come from?
The word “follow” comes from Old English. From Old English folgian ("to follow, pursue"), an old Germanic verb.
Is “follow” a common word?
“Follow” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “follow” have?
“Follow” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to move behind someone or something, going in the same direction.
What is the difference between 'follow' and 'chase'?
To follow is to move behind someone, going the same way, often calmly and at a similar pace. To chase is to follow quickly and urgently, trying to catch up or overtake. Following can be quiet and unhurried; chasing implies speed and effort. A detective might follow a suspect without ever chasing them.
What is the difference between 'follow' and 'lead'?
They are opposites of direction. To lead is to go in front and set the way for others. To follow is to move behind, taking the same path someone else has set. The leader chooses the route; the follower goes after. In groups, one person leads while the rest follow.
Does 'follow' always mean physically moving behind?
No. That is its core, literal sense, but follow has others. It can mean to obey ('follow the rules'), to come next in order ('the years that followed'), to understand ('I follow your point'), or to track someone online. Context shows whether movement or one of these figurative senses is meant.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include follow:
