following

[fol-oh-ing]

noun

1. a body of followers, attendants, adherents, etc.

2. the body of admirers, attendants, patrons, etc., of someone or something.

   That television show has a large following.

3. the following, that which comes immediately after, as pages, lines, etc..

   See the following for a list of exceptions.

adjective

1. that follows or moves in the same direction.

   a following wind.

2. that comes after or next in order or time; ensuing.

   the following day.

3. that is now to follow; now to be mentioned, described, related, or the like.

   Check the following report for details.

following

/ ˈfɒləʊɪŋ /

adjective

1. 1. (prenominal) about to be mentioned, specified, etc

      the following items

   2. ( as noun )

      will the following please raise their hands?

2. (of winds, currents, etc) moving in the same direction as the course of a vessel

noun

1. a group of supporters or enthusiasts

   he attracted a large following wherever he played

preposition

1. as a result of

   he was arrested following a tip-off

Usage

The use of following to mean as a result of is very common in journalism, but should be avoided in other kinds of writing

Other Word Forms

• nonfollowing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of following¹

First recorded in 1250–1300, following is from the Middle English word folwing. See follow, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Example Sentences

Ms Hughes had a mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy on the day, and received the diagnosis the following week.

Read more on BBC

In 2022, an appeal court ordered that the charges against him be dropped but this was overturned by the Supreme Court the following year.

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According to the court, Google is arguing that "it has not abused its dominant position following the Commission's decision and that Pricerunner has not suffered any damage whatsoever."

Read more on Barron's

Investors sold off risk assets late last week following credit concerns after two regional banks said they’d been hit by bad loans.

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Reform UK has suspended four councillors following the leak of a video of a heated virtual council meeting.

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Related Words

• coming 
• consecutive 
• ensuing 
• subsequent 
• succeeding 
• successive