# pursue

/pɝˈsu/ (US) · /pəsjˈuː/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pursue
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to chase

verb · CEFR B2

to follow someone or something quickly in order to catch them.

For teachers: to follow urgently with the intent to capture, overtake, or harm.

- The police officer had to pursue the suspect through the narrow streets.
- The predator will often pursue its prey for several miles across the savannah before finally attempting a strike.

Usage: Takes a direct object representing the person or thing being followed.

### 2. to seek a goal

verb · CEFR B2 · Academic

to try to achieve something, like a dream or a plan, over a long time.

For teachers: to strive to attain or accomplish a specific objective or ambition.

- She decided to pursue her dream of becoming a professional pilot.
- The government continues to pursue a policy of economic reform despite significant opposition from local industries.

Usage: Commonly used with abstract nouns like 'career', 'goal', 'dream', or 'policy'.

### 3. to engage in an activity

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to take part in an activity or a hobby regularly.

For teachers: to carry out or participate in a particular activity, interest, or profession.

- In his free time, he likes to pursue his interest in ancient history.
- The researcher has spent over a decade pursuing this specific line of inquiry into molecular biology.

Usage: Often used in academic or professional contexts to describe ongoing work or study.

### 4. to follow a path

verb · CEFR B2

to follow a specific route or way of doing something.

For teachers: to follow or travel along a particular route, course, or path of action.

- The hikers chose to pursue the trail that led toward the waterfall.
- The investigation will pursue every possible lead until the missing documents are recovered.

## Examples

- She decided to pursue a career in medicine.
- The detective continued to pursue the lead even after his supervisor told him to drop the case.
- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.