pursue
to strive to gain; seek to attain or accomplish (an end, object, purpose, etc.).
to proceed in accordance with (a method, plan, etc.).
to carry on or continue (a course of action, a train of thought, an inquiry, studies, etc.).
to continue to annoy, afflict, or trouble.
to practice (an occupation, pastime, etc.).
to continue to discuss (a subject, topic, etc.).
to follow: They pursued the river to its source. I felt their eyes pursuing me.
to continue; go on with (one's course, a journey, etc.).
to chase after someone or something; to follow in pursuit: They spotted the suspect but decided not to pursue.
to continue.
Origin of pursue
1word story For pursue
The many Latin meanings of prōsequi carry over into Old French and Middle English, and by the end of the Middle English period, the word pursue already had all of its current meanings. On the other hand, the word prosecute originally meant “to follow up, pursue, continue,” but shortly afterward, in the early 16th century, it took on its primary current meaning “to institute legal proceedings.”
Other words for pursue
Other words from pursue
- pur·su·a·ble, adjective
- out·pur·sue, verb (used with object), out·pur·sued, out·pur·su·ing.
- re·pur·sue, verb (used with object), re·pur·sued, re·pur·su·ing.
- un·pur·su·a·ble, adjective
Words that may be confused with pursue
- peruse, pursue
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for pursue
/ (pəˈsjuː) /
(also intr) to follow (a fugitive, etc) in order to capture or overtake
(esp of something bad or unlucky) to follow closely or accompany: ill health pursued her
to seek or strive to attain (some object, desire, etc)
to follow the precepts of (a plan, policy, etc)
to apply oneself to (one's studies, hobbies, etc)
to follow persistently or seek to become acquainted with
to continue to discuss or argue (a point, subject, etc)
Origin of pursue
1Derived forms of pursue
- pursuer, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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