Cool MateFollow
UK /["/ˈfɒləʊ/","/ˈfɒləʊz/","/ˈfɒləʊd/","/ˈfɒləʊɪŋ/"]/US /["/ˈfɑːləʊ/","/ˈfɑːləʊz/","/ˈfɑːləʊd/","/ˈfɑːləʊɪŋ/"]/
Definition
to come or go after or behind somebody/something
In simple words: To go after someone or something or do what they do.
Examples
- I will follow you to the store.
- He decided to follow his dreams and become an artist.
- Please follow the instructions carefully.
- The dog loves to follow its owner everywhere.
- She couldn't follow the movie plot because it was confusing.
- I have a lot of people who follow me on social media.
- As a leader, it's important to follow your values.
- He will follow the path through the forest to reach the lake.
Usage notes
Use 'follow' when discussing tracking someone physically or conceptually (like ideas or trends). For social media, 'follow' often describes subscribing to someone's updates. Avoid using it in overly formal contexts.
Grammar pattern
follow + object
Memory hint
Think of a 'follower' behind a leader — they are always 'following' their path.
Collocations
- closely
- reluctantly
- dutifully
- beckon somebody to
- beckon to somebody to
- being followed
- follow close behind (somebody)
- follow right behind (somebody)
- closely
- quickly
- shortly
- (be) followed by something
- follow in the wake of something
- closely
- quickly
- shortly
- (be) followed by something
- follow in the wake of something
- carefully
- to the letter
- dutifully
- faithfully
- blindly
- slavishly
- be expected to
- be likely to
- follow in somebody’s footsteps
- follow in the tradition of somebody/something
- follow suit
- not necessarily
- logically
- naturally
- (on) from
- not quite
- be easy to
- be difficult to
- be hard to
Synonyms
- track
- pursue
- chase
- trail
- monitor
Antonyms
- lead
- precede
- guide
Common mistakes
- Confusing 'follow' with 'lead' — they have opposite meanings.
- Using 'follow' without an object (e.g., 'I will follow' should specify who or what).
- Mistakenly using 'follows' in the past tense instead of 'followed'.