Translate follow | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish Definition of follow
verb
[with object] 1go or come after (a person or thing proceeding ahead); move or travel behind:she went back into the house, and Ben followed her [no object]:he was following behind in his car go after (someone) in order to observe or monitor:the KGB man followed her everywhere archaic strive after; aim at:I follow fame go along (a route or path). (of a route or path) go in the same direction as or parallel to (another):the road follows a hidden sweetwater brook
2come after in time or order:the six years that followed his restoration [no object]:the rates are as follows happen after (something else) as a consequence:raucous laughter followed the ribald remark [no object]:retribution soon followed [no object] be a logical consequence:it thus follows from this equation that the value must be negative [with object] (of a person) do something after (something else):he follows his surprise hit movie with a paranoid thriller (often
be followed by)
have (a dish or course) after another or others in a meal:turkey was followed by dessert
3act according to (an instruction or precept):he has difficulty in following written instructions conform to:the film faithfully follows Shakespeare’s plot act according to the lead or example of (someone):he follows Aristotle in believing this treat as a teacher or guide:those who seek to follow Jesus Christ
4pay close attention to (something):I’ve been following this discussion closely keep track of; trace the movement or direction of:she followed his gaze, peering into the gloom maintain awareness of the current state or progress of (events in a particular sphere or account):young Italians follow football (of a person or account) be concerned with the development of (something):the book follows the life and career of Henry Clay track (a person, group, organization, etc.) on a social media website or application: if you’ve been following me on Facebook recently you may have seen a bunch of different posts about surgery and back trouble I don’t follow many celebrities on Twitter anymore understand the meaning or tendency of (a speaker or argument):I still don’t follow you
5practice (a trade or profession). undertake or carry out (a course of action or study):she followed a strict diet
Phrases
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1trust to one’s instincts:you are on the right track so follow your nose
2move along guided by one’s sense of smell.
