follower

noun fol·low·er \ ˈfä-lə-wər \

|Updated on: 18 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: follower in a Sentence

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

And tell his 27 million Twitter followers to check it out.

— scott meslow, GQ, "Rachel Bloom Has a Lot to Say," 13 June 2018
And tell his 27 million Twitter followers to check it out.

— ale russian, PEOPLE.com, "Neil Patrick Harris Apologizes to Rachel Bloom as She Admits She's 'Devastated' Over His Diss," 13 June 2018
And tell his 27 million Twitter followers to check it out.

— refinery29.com, "Rachel Bloom Deliciously Shades Neil Patrick Harris' Rude Tweet," 13 June 2018
Peterson has 704,000 Twitter followers, an awful lot for a University of Toronto psychology prof and in fact nearly twice as many as the Colts' Twitter-mad owner, Jim Irsay.

— will higgins, Indianapolis Star, "‘Enforced monogamy,’ men’s rights activist Jordan Peterson to speak in Indianapolis," 11 June 2018
Cummings didn't share any further details about the event but told his followers more information will be revealed soon.

— nerisha penrose, Billboard, "Kanye West & Kid Cudi to Host 'Kids See Ghosts' Listening Event This Week," 5 June 2018
Critics of the gown are taking to Instagram and Twitter, telling followers, royals and Markle fans exactly how Meghan's super-simple wedding gown by Clare Waight Keller of Givenchy has them feeling.

— carrie goldberg, Harper's BAZAAR, "Twitter Is Calling Meghan Markle's Wedding Gown "Ill-Fitting" and "Boring"," 19 May 2018
As such, Saturday night was a big surprise for many A's fans and baseball followers.

— michael mcgough, sacbee, "A's lefty Manaea earns first no-hitter of 2018. Why this stunned some baseball fans | The Sacramento Bee," 21 Apr. 2018
Funko followers have known the new cereals were coming since March when Funko founder Mike Becker gave a sneak peek to the Coronado Eagle & Journal in California.

— lisa gutierrez, kansascity, "'Does it float?' New Pennywise cereal is about to turn breakfast into a bloody mess," 31 May 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

follower Synonyms

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

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