Meaning of pursue in English

Table of contents

Verb
pursue
Etymology
Middle English (originally in the sense ‘follow with enmity’): from Anglo-Norman French pursuer, from an alteration of Latin prosequi‘prosecute’
Definitions
1. carry out or participate in an activity
Examples
- « be involved in »
- « She pursued many activities »
- « They engaged in a discussion »
Derived terms
2. follow in or as if in pursuit
Examples
- « The police car pursued the suspected attacker »
- « Her bad deed followed her and haunted her dreams all her life »
Derived terms
3. go in search of or hunt for
Examples
- « pursue a hobby »
Derived terms
4. carry further or advance
Examples
- « Can you act on this matter soon? »
Derived terms
- prosecution
- pursuance

Famous quotes

« The pursuit of happiness is a most ridiculous phrase: if you pursue happiness you'll never find it. »
Carrie P. Snow
« Politics are beautiful. They enable a community to live collectively with one another. It's not about stabbing each other in the back it's about enabling people to reach their dreams and pursue happiness. »
Ben Nicholson
« Peace and friendship with all mankind is our wisest policy, and I wish we may be permitted to pursue it. »
Thomas Jefferson
« It is therefore not unreasonable to suppose that some portion of the neglect of science in England, may be attributed to the system of education we pursue. »
Charles Babbage
« I have a really, really, really normal family. And by normal I mean we're all nuts on some level. I think you've gotta be a little nuts to pursue any kind of creative job. I was also a really good kid. I know that sounds really dull, but I didn't rebel in the traditional sense. »
Anna Paquin