ENGLISH
REFERENCE

pursue

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //pɝˈsu// UK //pəsjˈuː// pur·sue Academic Archaic General-service

v. to follow or try to achieve something over a long period of time. You use this when you talk about chasing a dream, a career, or even a person.

v. to follow someone or something in order to catch or attack them; to seek to attain or accomplish a goal over a sustained period.


SIMPLE

She decided to pursue a career in medicine.

CONTEXTUAL

The detective continued to pursue the lead even after his supervisor told him to drop the case.

COMPLEX

While many students pursue higher education for better job prospects, others do so out of a genuine desire to contribute to their chosen field of research.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English pursuen, from Anglo-Norman pursure, poursuire etc., from Latin prōsequor (though influenced by persequor). Doublet of prosecute.

Usage

The verb is transitive and requires a direct object, such as a goal, a person, or an activity.

Pitfall

pursue after a dreampursue a dreamPursue is a transitive verb and does not take the preposition 'after' like the verb 'run' does.

© 2026 English Reference