verb
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to travel behind, go after, come afterThe ducklings followed their mother around the pond
Please follow the guide through the museum
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be later in time (syn: postdate)Tuesday always follows Monday
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come as a logical consequence; follow logically (syn: fall out)It follows that your assertion is false
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travel along a certain coursefollow the road
follow the trail
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act in accordance with someone's rules, commands, or wishes (syn: comply)-
come after in time, as a resultA terrible tsunami followed the earthquake
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behave in accordance or in agreement with-
be nextMary plays best, with John and Sue following
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choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans (syn: adopt, espouse)She followed the feminist movement
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to bring something about at a later time thanShe followed dinner with a brandy
He followed his lecture with a question and answer period
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imitate in behavior; take as a modelTeenagers follow their friends in everything
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follow, discover, or ascertain the course of development of something (syn: trace)We must follow closely the economic development is Cuba
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follow with the eyes or the mind (syn: observe, watch, watch over)She followed the men with the binoculars
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be the successor (of) (syn: succeed)Carter followed Ford
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perform an accompaniment to (syn: accompany, play along)The orchestra could barely follow the frequent pitch changes of the soprano
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keep informed (syn: keep up)-
to be the product or result (syn: come)-
accept and follow the leadership or command or guidance ofLet's follow our great helmsman!
She followed a guru for years
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adhere to or practiceThese people still follow the laws of their ancient religion
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work in a specific place, with a specific subject, or in a specific function (syn: be)-
keep under surveillance (syn: survey)The police had been following him for weeks but they could not prove his involvement in the bombing
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follow in or as if in pursuit (syn: pursue)Her bad deed followed her and haunted her dreams all her life
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grasp the meaningCan you follow her argument?
When he lectures, I cannot follow
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keep to
Extra examples
She followed us into the kitchen.
The dog followed the children home.
The exit is right this way. Just follow me.
The children went home and the dog followed behind.
If one sheep goes through the gate, the rest will follow.
The number 15 follows 14.
Her accident was followed by a long period of recovery.
First came the student speeches, and the presentation of awards followed.
Rioting followed the unjust verdict.
If you work hard, success will surely follow.
He is followed.
I follow fame.
He was the most followed man of the town.
I don't follow.
A number of developing countries in Latin America followed the opposite path.
Phrasal verbs
follow out
— pursue to a conclusion or bring to a successful issue
follow through
— carry a stroke to natural completion after hitting or releasing a ball
follow up
— pursue to a conclusion or bring to a successful issue
Word forms
verb
I/you/we/they: follow
he/she/it: follows
present participle: following
past tense: followed
past participle: followed