Main Entry: ¹fol·low

Pronunciation: \ˈfä-(ˌ)lō\

Function: verb

Etymology: Middle English folwen, from Old English folgian; akin to Old High German folgēn to follow

Date: before 12th century

transitive verb 1 : to go, proceed, or come after <followed the guide>
2 a : to engage in as a calling or way of life : pursue <wheat-growing is generally followed here> b : to walk or proceed along <follow a path>
3 a : to be or act in accordance with <follow directions> b : to accept as authority : obey <followed his conscience>
4 a : to pursue in an effort to overtake b : to seek to attain <follow knowledge>
5 : to come into existence or take place as a result or consequence of <disaster followed the blunder>
6 a : to come or take place after in time, sequence, or order b : to cause to be followed <followed dinner with a liqueur>
7 : to copy after : imitate
8 a : to watch steadily <followed the flight of the ball> b : to keep the mind on <follow a speech> c : to attend closely to : keep abreast of <followed his career with interest> d : to understand the sense or logic of (as a line of thought)intransitive verb 1 : to go or come after a person or thing in place, time, or sequence
2 : to result or occur as a consequence, effect, or inference

— as follows : as comes next —used impersonally

— follow one's nose 1 : to go in a straight or obvious course
2 : to proceed without plan or reflection : obey one's instincts

— follow suit 1 : to play a card of the same suit as the card led
2 : to follow an example set

synonyms follow, succeed, ensue, supervene mean to come after something or someone. follow may apply to a coming after in time, position, or logical sequence <speeches followed the dinner>. succeed implies a coming after immediately in a sequence determined by natural order, inheritance, election, or laws of rank <she succeeded her father as head of the business>. ensue commonly suggests a logical consequence or naturally expected development <after the talk a general discussion ensued>. supervene suggests the following or beginning of something unforeseen or unpredictable <unable to continue because of supervening circumstances>.

synonyms see in addition chase