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• follow-up
  follow-up

  noun

  the act of following up.
• follow up
  follow up

  verb

  to pursue or investigate (a person, evidence, etc) closely

follow-up

American  

[fol-oh-uhp] / ˈfɒl oʊˌʌp /

noun

1. the act of following up.

2. an action or thing that serves to increase the effectiveness of a previous one, as a second or subsequent letter, phone call, or visit.

3. Also called follow.  Journalism.

   1. a news story providing additional information on a story or article previously published.

   2. Also called supplementary story.  Also called sidebar.  a minor news story used to supplement a related story of major importance.

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adjective

1. designed or serving to follow up, especially to increase the effectiveness of a previous action.

   a follow-up interview; a follow-up offer.

2. of or relating to action that follows an initial treatment, course of study, etc..

   follow-up care for mental patients; a follow-up survey.

follow up British  

verb

1. to pursue or investigate (a person, evidence, etc) closely

2. to continue (action) after a beginning, esp to increase its effect

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noun

1. 1. something done to reinforce an initial action

   2. ( as modifier )

      a follow-up letter

2. med a routine examination of a patient at various intervals after medical or surgical treatment

follow up Idioms  

1. Carry to completion. For example, I'm following up their suggestions with concrete proposals . Also see follow through .

2. Increase the effectiveness or enhance the success of something by further action. For example, She followed up her interview with a phone call . [Late 1700s]

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Etymology

Origin of follow-up

First recorded in 1920–25; noun, adj. use of verb phrase follow up

Example Sentences

Follow up with: “What other behavioral preferences have you noted?” or “What have you learned about my likes and dislikes?”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

Follow up experiments in mice confirmed the finding.

From Science Daily • Feb. 21, 2026

Follow up: If there's barely any liquid at the bottom of my roasting pan, what should I be basting with?

From Salon • Nov. 25, 2024

Follow up with a sincere compliment — “Cool backpack!” — or a question that starts with “how” or “what.”

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 9, 2024

“Hold on to those cards you’re getting. Follow up tomorrow.”

From "Piecing Me Together" by Renée Watson