follow

Formsfollows, following, followed

Pluralfollows

1. 1
   come nextverbtransitive or intransitive

   To come after something else in an order or list.

   Like train cars, where one comes right after another.

   In the alphabet, B follows A.

   A short break will follow the first session.

   UsageSay as follows before a list, and the following day for the next day.

   Similarsucceed, ensue

   Oppositeprecede

   Note
2. 2
   go behindverbtransitive or intransitive

   To go after someone or something and move along behind them.

   Like a baby duck walking right behind its mother.

   The puppy will follow you wherever you go.

   Two cars followed the truck down the narrow road.

   UsageSay follow me or follow someone home.

   Similartrail, tail

   Oppositelead, guide

   Note
3. 3
   obeyverbtransitive

   To do what rules, instructions, or advice say, or to live by a religion or set of beliefs.

   Like building a toy by doing each step in the guide.

   Please follow these steps to set up your phone.

   The workers followed the safety rules carefully.

   UsageSay follow the rules or follow the steps.

   Similarobey, observe, heed, respect

   Oppositedisobey, ignore, defy, flout

4. 4
   online subscriptionverbtransitive

   To sign up to see what someone posts on social media.

   Like signing up for a magazine so new issues come to you.

   Follow this account to see new recipes every day.

   Thousands of fans followed the band's new page.

   UsageSay follow someone on an app. Stop with unfollow.

   Oppositeunfollow

   Note
5. 5
   verbtransitive

   To do the same thing someone else does, or to keep doing things the way an example or trend shows.

   Little kids often follow what their older brothers and sisters do.

   She doesn't follow fashion, so she wears what she likes.

   Usagefollow suit means do the same thing.

   Similarcopy, imitate, emulate, match

   Note
6. 6
   verbtransitive

   To work at a trade or calling, or to travel along a road or path.

   Like choosing a road and staying on it for your whole journey.

   Follow this road and you will see the school on your left.

   Her family followed the same trade for over a century.

   UsageSay follow this road to get there.

   Similarpursue, practice

   Note
7. 7
   understandverbtransitive

   To understand what someone is explaining, or to watch or listen to something carefully, even as it moves.

   Like keeping up with a story so you don't get lost.

   I can follow your explanation now.

   The students followed the teacher's argument easily.

   UsageI don't follow means I don't understand.

   Similarunderstand, grasp, comprehend, get

8. 8
   keep trackverbtransitive

   To keep up with news about an event or person, or to be a fan of a team.

   Like checking a game's score again and again to see what happens.

   Many people follow their favorite teams all season.

   She followed the election results late into the night.

   UsageUse closely for careful attention: I follow the news closely.

   Similartrack, monitor, watch

   Oppositeignore

9. 9
   verbtransitive

   When a story, movie, show, or report follows someone, it tells what happens to them over time.

   The movie follows a young girl as she looks for her lost dog.

   Both books follow the same family over three summers at the lake.

   UsageUsually in the present tense: the film follows a family.

   Similartrack, chronicle, shadow

   Note
10. 10
    verbtransitive

    To open the page or file that a link leads to.

    Follow the link in the email to reset your password.

    I followed a link from the article and ended up on a recipe site.

    Usagefollow the link means click or tap it.

    Similarclick, open

    Note
11. 11
    verbtransitive or intransitive

    To be the result of something else, by reason or logic.

    If the roads are icy, delays naturally follow.

    If Sam is older than Mia, it follows that Mia is younger than Sam.

    Usageit follows that means so it must be true that.

    Similarensue

    Note

Showing meanings only. Show all 13