Dictionary.com

following

[ fol-oh-ing ]
/ ˈfɒl oʊ ɪŋ /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for following on Thesaurus.com
noun
a body of followers, attendants, adherents, etc.
the body of admirers, attendants, patrons, etc., of someone or something: That television show has a large following.
the following, that which comes immediately after, as pages, lines, etc.: See the following for a list of exceptions.
adjective
that follows or moves in the same direction: a following wind.
that comes after or next in order or time; ensuing: the following day.
that is now to follow; now to be mentioned, described, related, or the like: Check the following report for details.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of following

First recorded in 1250–1300, following is from the Middle English word folwing.See follow, -ing1, -ing2

OTHER WORDS FROM following

non·fol·low·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to following

coming, consecutive, ensuing, subsequent, succeeding, successive, audience, attendant, back, hinder, latter, posterior, pursuing, rear, resulting, serial, specified, then, trailing, adherents

How to use following in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for following

following
/ (ˈfɒləʊɪŋ) /
adjective
  1. (prenominal) about to be mentioned, specified, etcthe following items
  2. (as noun)will the following please raise their hands?
(of winds, currents, etc) moving in the same direction as the course of a vessel
noun
a group of supporters or enthusiastshe attracted a large following wherever he played
preposition
as a result ofhe was arrested following a tip-off

usage for following

The use of following to mean as a result of is very common in journalism, but should be avoided in other kinds of writing
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
FEEDBACK