Word of the Day: Follow
The word “follow” is a verb that is used when a thing or a person comes or goes after something else.
- The blue car is following the red car around the track.
- The children followed their teacher into the school.
- Summer follows spring; winter follows autumn.
- A suspect in the crime was followed by the police for several weeks.
- Cries for help immediately followed the destructive storm.
- The girl told the boy to stop following her.
Sometimes the word “follow” means to understand what a person is saying or to pay attention to directions:
- Are you following? (Do you understand what I just said?)
- He’s not following the teacher’s instructions.
- If you don’t follow the directions, you’re going to make a mistake.
- By carefully following a recipe, it’s possible to make just about any kind of food.
Add the preposition “up” to form “follow up.” To follow up on something is to make sure that it is okay.
- After the meeting, our supervisor followed up with an email that reminded everyone of what we discussed.
- A few days after Harriet was released from the hospital, the doctor made a follow-up visit to make sure she was feeling okay.
- Thanks for following up on that!
The word “following” can be used as an adjective:
- When Bob’s refrigerator broke, he bought a new one the following week. (following = next)
- After learning of her mother’s death, she left to be with family members the following day. (the following day = the next day)
Sometimes the word “follow” indicates a strong interest in something:
- Which sports do you follow?
- Do you follow the news?
- Have you been following the events in the Middle East lately?
- Hilary Clinton has many followers who believe in her as a leader. (follower = a person who likes or admires someone else.)
- She has a large following. (following = a large group of people who admire someone)
- He’s a dedicated follower of fashion.
Essential English Dictionary
Visit the Popular English Words Beginning with F page to see the list of all words starting with letter F. For seeing the HiCafe dictionary, visit the Popular English Words with Meaning page.
