What does “follow” mean?
- 1
verbto go behind someone or something
Follow me, and I’ll show you the way.
- 2
verbto do what a rule, instruction or advice says
Please follow the instructions carefully.
- 3
verbto understand something as it is explained
Sorry, I don’t follow. Can you say that again?
Follow at a glance
- Part of speech
- verb
- CEFR level
- A1 (beginner)
- Pronunciation
- /ˈfɑloʊ/ · FAH-loh
How to use “follow” correctly
On social media, you “follow” people and they become your “followers”.
Common phrases with “follow”
- follow advice
- follow the rules
- as follows
- follow up
Synonyms, opposites and related words
Synonyms (similar meaning)
- chase
- obey
- understand
Antonyms (opposite meaning)
- lead
- ignore
Word family
- follower
- following
“follow” is on these word lists
Learn these words next
- begin verbA1to start doing something or to start happening
- break verbA1to make something separate into pieces or stop working
- bring verbA1to take someone or something with you to a place
- build verbA1to make a building or other structure by putting parts together
- change verbA1to become different, or make someone or something different
- check verbA1to look at something to see if it is correct, safe or as it should be
- close verbA1to shut something, or to stop being open
- come verbA1to move toward the speaker or the place being talked about