English Dictionary

Definition of “pursue”

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pursue (pəˈsjuːPronunciation for pursue) 

Definitions

verb

(mainly tr)
  1. (also intr) to follow (a fugitive, etc) in order to capture or overtake
  2. (esp of something bad or unlucky) to follow closely or accompany  ⇒ ill health pursued her 
  3. to seek or strive to attain (some object, desire, etc)
  4. to follow the precepts of (a plan, policy, etc)
  5. to apply oneself to (one's studies, hobbies, etc)
  6. to follow persistently or seek to become acquainted with
  7. to continue to discuss or argue (a point, subject, etc)

Alternative Forms

purˈsuer noun

Word Origin

C13: from Anglo-Norman pursiwer,  from Old French poursivre,  from Latin prōsequī to follow after

Synonyms

View thesaurus entry
= engage in, follow, perform, conduct, wage, tackle, take up, work at carry on, practise, participate in, prosecute, ply, go in for, apply yourself to
= try for, seek, desire, search for, aim for aspire to work towards, strive for have as a goal
= continue, maintain, carry on, keep on, hold to, see through, adhere to, persist in proceed in persevere in
= conduct, carry on, undertake, prosecute, devote yourself to
= investigate, study, research, check, review, examine, probe, look into, analyze, delve into inquire into,
= follow, track, hunt, chase, dog, attend, shadow, accompany, harry, tail, haunt, plague, hound, stalk, harass, go after, run after, hunt down, give chase to
= court, woo, pay attention to make up to, chase after pay court to set your cap at

Translations

  • British English: pursue Pronunciation for pursue If you pursue a particular aim or result, you make efforts to achieve it or to progress in it.She came to England to pursue an acting career.pəˈsjuː VERB She came to England to pursue an acting career.
  • Spanish: perseguir Pronunciation for perseguir v
  • French: poursuivre Pronunciation for poursuivre vt
  • German: verfolgen Pronunciation for verfolgen v
  • Chinese: 追赶Pronunciation for 追赶 v
  • Arabic: يُلاحِقPronunciation for يُلاحِق v
  • Portuguese: perseguirPronunciation for perseguir v
  • Russian: преследоватьPronunciation for преследовать v
  • Croatian: progonitiPronunciation for progoniti v
  • Czech: pronásledovatPronunciation for pronásledovat v
  • Danish: forfølgePronunciation for forfølge v
  • Dutch: de achtervolging inzettenPronunciation for de achtervolging inzetten v
  • Finnish: ajaa takaaPronunciation for ajaa takaa v
  • Greek: επιδιώκωPronunciation for επιδιώκω v
  • Italian: inseguirePronunciation for inseguire v
  • Japanese: 追跡するPronunciation for 追跡する v
  • Korean: 추적하다Pronunciation for 추적하다 v
  • Norwegian: jagePronunciation for jage v
  • Polish: ścigaćPronunciation for ścigać v
  • Brazilian Portuguese: perseguirPronunciation for perseguir v
  • European Spanish: perseguir Pronunciation for perseguir v
  • Swedish: förföljaPronunciation for förfölja v
  • Thai: ติดตามPronunciation for ติดตาม v
  • Turkish: peşine takılmakPronunciation for peşine takılmak v
  • Vietnamese: theo đuổiPronunciation for theo đuổi v

Usage examples

  • Yet short of downright rudeness, he could pursue it no further.
    Fraser, Anthea, Death Speaks Softly (1987)
  • Tasks are specifically tailored to help each of the eight contestants gain skills needed to pursue their dream jobs.
    Maxim (2004)
  • It's all on display as Banks builds on his recollections to pursue his quest.
    Globe and Mail (2003)
  • It was the late Colonel Sir James Horlick who in 1944 chose Gigha to pursue his passion for rhododendrons.
    Glasgow Herald (2001)
  • The film-makers who bought into the idea of trying to be honest and pursue truth were swimming upstream.
    John Baxter, DE NIRO: A Biography (2002)

Commonness

All English words that begin with 'P'

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