follower

American  

[fol-oh-er] / ˈfɒl oʊ ər /

noun

1. a person or thing that follows.

2. a person who follows another in regard to their ideas or belief; disciple or adherent.

   Synonyms:

   supporter

   Antonyms:

   foe, enemy, adversary, opponent

3. a person who imitates, copies, or takes as a model or ideal.

   He was little more than a follower of current modes.

4. an attendant, servant, or retainer.

5. a person who follows or subscribes to another's posts on a social media website.

   He spent hours figuring out how to get more followers on Twitter.

6. British Informal. a boyfriend or suitor, especially of a maidservant.

7. Machinery. a part receiving motion from or following the movements of another part, especially a cam.

8. Engineering, Building Trades. a concrete form attached to the head of a timber pile to permit casting of a concrete cap or pier.

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follower British  

/ ˈfɒləʊə /

noun

1. a person who accepts the teachings of another; disciple; adherent

   a follower of Marx

2. an attendant or henchman

3. an enthusiast or supporter, as of a sport or team

4. (esp formerly) a male admirer

5. rare a pursuer

6. a machine part that derives its motion by following the motion of another part

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Related Words

Follower, adherent, partisan refer to someone who demonstrates allegiance to a person, a doctrine, a cause, or the like. Follower often has an implication of personal relationship or of slavish acquiescence. Adherent, a more formal word, has implications of active championship of a person or a point of view. Partisan, ordinarily meaning a person prejudiced and unreasoning in adherence to a party, during World War II took on the meaning of a member of certain groups in occupied countries of Europe who carried on underground resistance to the Nazis.

Etymology

Origin of follower

First recorded before 900; Middle English folwer, Old English folgere. See follow, -er ¹

Example Sentences

Then he set up a very public accountability mechanism: Every day, as “In Denver In Debt,” he details his debt-reduction progress, or confesses setbacks, to his 6,200 followers across social media.

From The Wall Street Journal

With 22.6 million followers on TikTok, Adam W. has amassed a massive audience for his videos that parody pop culture trends.

From Los Angeles Times

Some followers spotted an apparent resemblance with Chalamet's eyes, and when the BBC questioned the star about the connection earlier this week, he responded: "No comment... You'll see, all in due time."

From BBC

The group have said an immigration lawyer advised them that securing one million followers will help their application.

From BBC

His creations are viewed by hundreds of thousands of his followers and fans, including Eagles players and often the original song’s artist.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• adherent
• admirer
• advocate
• backer
• believer
• client
• devotee
• disciple
• fan
• member
• participant
• patron
• supporter
• worshiper