- (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)
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
pur•sue /pɚˈsu/USA pronunciation
v. [~ + object], -sued, -su•ing.
pur•su•er, n. [countable]See -seq-.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025- to follow in order to overtake, capture, kill, etc.;
chase:The army pursued the retreating enemy. - to carry on or continue (a course of action, inquiry, etc.), esp. in order to accomplish some goal:She pursued a degree in business.
- to practice (an occupation or pastime):to pursue a career in law.
- to continue to discuss (a subject):pursued the question of his involvement.
pur•su•er, n. [countable]See -seq-.
pur•sue
(pər so̅o̅′),USA pronunciation v., -sued, -su•ing.
v.t.
v.i.
pur•su′a•ble, adj.
v.t.
- to follow in order to overtake, capture, kill, etc.;
chase. - to follow close upon;
go with;
attend:Bad luck pursued him. - 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.).
v.i.
- to follow in pursuit.
- to continue.
- Anglo-French pursuer
Latin prōsequī to pursue, follow, continue. See pro-1, sue, prosecute - Middle English pursuen 1250–1300
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged trail, hunt.
- 2.See corresponding entry in Unabridged dog.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
'pursue' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
bark
- cap
- carry
- cast
- catch
- chase
- consecutive
- consequent
- course
- den
- dog
- drop
- drop the handkerchief
- dropout
- ensue
- excise
- feel
- flog
- follow
- follow through
- follow up
- freak
- go
- good
- grass widow
- grass widower
- guild
- hack
- hacktivist
- happy hunting ground
- harass
- hawk
- homonym
- hound
- hunt
- hunter-killer
- in-residence
- jaeger
- lifestyle business
- lionize
- live
- nolle prosequi
- non prosequitur
- open marriage
- operate
- outpursue
- persecute
- ply
- practice
- practise