v.
1. tr. or (foll. by after) intr. go or come after (a person or thing proceeding ahead).
2 tr. go along (a route, path, etc.).
3 tr. & intr. come after in order or time (Nero followed Claudius; dessert followed; my reasons are as follows).
4 tr. take as a guide or leader.
5 tr. conform to (follow your example).
6 tr. practise (a trade or profession).
7 tr. undertake (a course of study etc.).
8 tr. understand the meaning or tendency of (a speaker or argument).
9 tr. maintain awareness of the current state or progress of (events etc. in a particular sphere).
10 tr. (foll. by with) provide with a sequel or successor.
11 intr. happen after something else; ensue.
12 intr. a be necessarily true as a result of something else. b (foll. by from) be a result of.
13 tr. strive after; aim at; pursue (followed fame and fortune).
Phrases and idioms:
follow-my-leader a game in which players must do as the leader does. follow one's nose trust to instinct. follow on
1. continue.
2 (of a cricket team) have to bat again immediately after the first innings. follow-on n. an instance of this. follow out carry out; adhere precisely to (instructions etc.).
follow suit
1. Cards play a card of the suit led.
2 conform to another person's actions.
follow through
1. continue (an action etc.) to its conclusion.
2 Sport continue the movement of a stroke after the ball has been struck. follow-through n. the action of following through. follow up (foll.
by with)
1. pursue, develop, supplement.
2 make further investigation of. follow-up n. a subsequent or continued action, measure, experience, etc.
Etymology: OE folgian f. Gmc