Word
following
Phoneticsfol·low·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈfɑɫoʊɪŋ/
UK/fˈɒləʊɪŋ/
Definitions
01after an event
B1 · Intermediate
prep. coming after something else has happened.
prep. subsequent to or after a specific event or time.
“Following the meeting, we all went out for a quick coffee.”
“Following the sudden resignation of the chief executive, the board of directors convened an emergency session to discuss interim leadership.”
Usage
Often used at the start of a sentence to provide temporal context.
Synonyms
02next in a sequence
A2 · Elementary
adj. coming next in time or order.
adj. coming next in a sequence or time; ensuing.
日本語:次※
Español:siguiente
“We spent the following day exploring the local museums.”
“The researchers observed the subjects over the following months to determine if the initial results remained consistent.”
Usage
Usually placed before the noun it modifies.
Synonyms
03about to be mentioned
B1 · Intermediate
adj. about to be listed or described immediately after.
adj. referring to what is about to be specified or mentioned next.
日本語:次※
“Please answer the following questions as honestly as possible.”
“The following conditions must be met before the contract can be formally signed by both parties.”
Usage
Frequently used in formal instructions or academic writing.
Synonyms
Antonyms
04group of supporters
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a group of people who support or admire a person or idea.
n. a body of supporters, admirers, or devotees, especially in a professional or social media context.
“The young singer has a huge following on social media.”
“Despite his controversial views, the philosopher maintained a loyal following among academic circles in Europe.”
Usage
Usually used with a singular verb even though it refers to a group of people.
Synonyms
05the things mentioned next
B1 · Intermediate Plural noun
n. the things that are about to be listed.
n. the thing or things that are to be mentioned immediately after; typically used with 'the'.
“The price of the tour includes the following: transport, lunch, and a guide.”
“To apply for the visa, you will need the following: a valid passport, two photos, and a bank statement.”
Usage
Almost always preceded by 'the' and followed by a colon.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “following” in context.
Etymology
By surface analysis, follow + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
PREPOSITION
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A2 · ElementaryOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/following
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0