follower

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noun fol·low·er \ ˈfä-lə-wər \

Definition of follower

1 a :one in the service of another :retainer

b :one that follows the opinions or teachings of another

c :one that imitates another

2 archaic :one that chases

3 :a sheet added to the first sheet of an indenture or other deed

4 :a machine part that receives motion from another part

5 :a spring-loaded plate at the bottom of a firearm's magazine that angles cartridges for proper insertion into the chamber

6 :fan, devotee

See follower defined for English-language learners

See follower defined for kids

Examples of follower in a Sentence

The party drew most of its followers from among young people.
The band has a large group of followers.
He had a reputation of being a follower, not a leader.

Recent Examples of follower from the Web

The fight, two years in the making, promises to be one of the most important matches in boxing’s history, with fans and followers expecting the hype of Mayweather-Pacquiao but with explosive results to back it up.

— kevin acee, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Alvarez-Golovkin ready for real fight," 29 Aug. 2017
Since Saturday, police have been asking followers to leave the ashram compound, and around 20,000 people left.

— muneeza naqvi, The Seattle Times, "Judge sends Indian guru to jail for 20 years in rapes," 28 Aug. 2017
The sect claims to have about 50 million followers and campaigns for vegetarianism and against drug addiction.

— rishabh r. jain and muneeza naqvi, chicagotribune.com, "Judge sends Indian spiritual guru to jail for 10 years for rape of two female followers," 28 Aug. 2017
Trump tweeted numerous times up until the election urging his Alabama followers to vote for Strange.

— howard koplowitz, AL.com, "Steve Bannon to support Roy Moore in Alabama Senate race: Report," 28 Aug. 2017
The study by sociologist Pete Simi of Chapman University in Orange, Calif., suggests that influences on these followers may be related more to the group’s social bonds than ideology.

— sharon jayson, Kaiser Health News, "Charlottesville Postmortem: Why People Join Hate Groups," 24 Aug. 2017
Sarah Jessica Parker wanted to take her followers along for her solar-eclipse journey Monday afternoon.

— hilary weaver, vanityfair.com, "Behold the Awesome Power of Sarah Jessica Parker Narrating the Awesome Power of a Solar Eclipse," 21 Aug. 2017
Within 45 minutes, the president had changed his tone, directing followers to Google the work of early 20th Century U.S. General John Pershing.

— tina nguyen, The Hive, "Trump’s “Pigs Blood” Response to Barcelona Terror Attack Is Fake News," 17 Aug. 2017
Lauren, a model, has 43K followers on Instagram; 29.7K on Twitter.

— madeleine marr, miamiherald, "Now that her husband Jay Cutler is with the Miami Dolphins, what does that mean for Kristin Cavallari?," 10 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'follower.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of follower

before 12th century

follower Synonyms

Synonyms

acolyte, adherent, convert, disciple, epigone, liege man, partisan (also partizan), pupil, votarist, votary

Antonyms

coryphaeus, leader

Related Words

apostle, missionary, proselytizer, soldier; faithful, loyalist; advocate, backer, champion, supporter; protégé, scholar, student; ideologist, ideologue (also idealogue), sectarian; admirer, cultist, devotee, enthusiast, fan, idolater (or idolator), worshipper (or worshiper), zealot; apparatchik, camp follower, flunky (also flunkey or flunkie), hanger-on, henchman, lackey, lickspittle, minion, myrmidon, satellite, stooge, sycophant, toady, yes-man

Near Antonyms

apostate, defector, renegade, traitor, turncoat

Synonym Discussion of follower

follower, adherent, disciple, partisan mean one who gives full loyalty and support to another. follower may apply to people who attach themselves either to the person or beliefs of another.

- an evangelist and his followers

adherent suggests a close and persistent attachment.

- adherents to Marxism

disciple implies a devoted allegiance to the teachings of one chosen as a master.

- disciples of Gandhi

partisan suggests a zealous often prejudiced attachment.

- partisans of the President

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

FOLLOWER Defined for English Language Learners

follower

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noun

Definition of follower for English Language Learners

: someone who supports and is guided by another person or by a group, religion, etc.
: a person who likes and admires (someone or something) very much
: someone who does what other people say to do