following
UK /ˈfɒləʊɪŋ/ · US /ˈfɑloʊɪŋ/ adjective, preposition, noun
Also a form of follow
Forms followings
- adjective Coming next, either in sequence or in time. “See the following section.”
- adjective About to be specified. “The following words have no definition[…]”
- adjective (of a wind) Blowing in the direction of travel, as opposed to headwind; downwind. “The following wind sped us on our way.”
- preposition (sometimes proscribed) After, subsequent to. “Following the meeting, we all had a chat.”
- preposition In accordance with; as per. “Following all relevant safety instructions, administer a dose of the corticosteroid.”
- noun A group of followers, attendants or admirers; an entourage. “He had a loyal following.”
- noun Vocation; business; profession.
- noun (with definite article, treated as singular or plural) A thing or things to be mentioned immediately after. “The following is a recommendation letter from the president.”
- noun (social media) An account which is followed.
Synonyms
succeeding next after later posterior subsequent successor ulterior undermentioned per followers pursuit chase pursual
Antonyms
preceding antecedent anterior earlier erstwhile ex foregone former hitherto old olden past leading
Etymology
By surface analysis, follow + -ing.
Webster’s 1913
- noun One's followers, adherents, or dependents, collectively. Macaulay.
- noun Vocation; business; profession.
- adjective Next after; succeeding; ensuing; as, the assembly was held on the following day.
- adjective (In the field of a telescope) In the direction from which stars are apparently moving (in consequence of the erth's rotation); as, a small star, north following or south following. In the direction toward which stars appear to move is called preceding.
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “following”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details