following
FO-loh-ihng
Following (adj) means coming next, whether in a sequence, list, or in time. Example: “Please read the following instructions carefully.”
adj
1
Coming next, whether in a sequence, list, or in time.
"Please read the following instructions carefully."
"We left the following morning, before the rest of the village woke up."
"Check the following day's forecast before you plan the picnic."
prep
1
After or as a result of.
"Following the announcement, share prices rose sharply."
"Following the heavy rain, several roads in town were closed."
"Following dinner, we all sat in the garden and talked."
noun
1
A group of supporters, fans, or admirers.
"The band built a loyal following over two decades."
"The chef has a huge following online among people who love baking."
"Her little podcast gained a devoted following in the local community."
How to use following
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWhat comes next, or "after" something happened, or a group of supporters/fans.
Common pairings
the following day
a large following
following an incident
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Word forms
- Plural
- followings
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Please read the _____ instructions carefully.
Etymology
Formed from "follow" plus the "-ing" ending.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for following
See all rhymes for 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.
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