Definitions for pursue
pərˈsupur·sue

Princeton's WordNet(3.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. prosecute, engage, pursueverb

   carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in

   "She pursued many activities"; "They engaged in a discussion"

2. pursue, followverb

   follow in or as if in pursuit

   "The police car pursued the suspected attacker"; "Her bad deed followed her and haunted her dreams all her life"

3. quest for, go after, quest after, pursueverb

   go in search of or hunt for

   "pursue a hobby"

4. pursue, follow up on, act onverb

   carry further or advance

   "Can you act on this matter soon?"

Wiktionary(4.00 / 2 votes)Rate this definition:

1. pursueverb

   To follow with harmful intent; to try to harm, to persecute, torment.

   Etymology: From pursuer, poursuire et al., porsuir, from prosequi (though influenced by persequi).

2. pursueverb

   To follow urgently, originally with intent to capture or harm; to chase.

   Etymology: From pursuer, poursuire et al., porsuir, from prosequi (though influenced by persequi).

3. pursueverb

   To follow, travel down (a particular way, course of action etc.).

   Her rival pursued a quite different course.

   Etymology: From pursuer, poursuire et al., porsuir, from prosequi (though influenced by persequi).

4. pursueverb

   To aim for, go after (a specified objective, situation etc.).

   Etymology: From pursuer, poursuire et al., porsuir, from prosequi (though influenced by persequi).

5. pursueverb

   To participate in (an activity, business etc.); to practise, follow (a profession).

   Etymology: From pursuer, poursuire et al., porsuir, from prosequi (though influenced by persequi).

Webster Dictionary(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Pursueverb

   to follow with a view to overtake; to follow eagerly, or with haste; to chase; as, to pursue a hare

2. Pursueverb

   to seek; to use or adopt measures to obtain; as, to pursue a remedy at law

3. Pursueverb

   to proceed along, with a view to some and or object; to follow; to go in; as, Captain Cook pursued a new route; the administration pursued a wise course

4. Pursueverb

   to prosecute; to be engaged in; to continue

5. Pursueverb

   to follow as an example; to imitate

6. Pursueverb

   to follow with enmity; to persecute; to call to account

7. Pursueverb

   to go in pursuit; to follow

8. Pursueverb

   to go on; to proceed, especially in argument or discourse; to continue

9. Pursueverb

   to follow a matter judicially, as a complaining party; to act as a prosecutor

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Pursue

   pur-sū′, v.t. to follow after in order to overtake: to follow with haste: to chase: to follow up: to be engaged in: to carry on: to seek to obtain: to seek to injure: to imitate: to continue.—v.i. to follow: to go on or continue: to act as a prosecutor at law.—n. (Spens.) pursuit.—adj. Pursū′able.—n. Pursū′ance, the act of pursuing or following out: process: consequence.—adj. Pursū′ant, done while pursuing or seeking any purpose, hence agreeable.—adv. agreeably: conformably—also Pursū′antly.—n. Pursū′er, one who pursues: (Scots law) a plaintiff. [O. Fr. porsuir (Fr. poursuivre)—L. prosequi, -secutus—pro, onwards, sequi, to follow.]

Matched Categories

1. • Act
   • Move

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'pursue' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #4672

2. Written Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'pursue' in Written Corpus Frequency: #4153

3. Verbs Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'pursue' in Verbs Frequency: #425

How to pronounce pursue?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say pursue in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of pursue in Chaldean Numerology is: 3

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of pursue in Pythagorean Numerology is: 1

Examples of pursue in a Sentence

1. Marcus Arbery Sr.:

   Anytime you pursue a young man, go jump in a truck with shotguns and a pistol ... and you follow him and slaughter him like that, that's lynching.

2. Kara Robinson in court:

   I was a little angry about that, my feelings have gone back and forth over the years to feeling relief that he killed himself because I never had to go to trial. I never had to sit in a courtroom and talk about all the details of what happened to me. I never have to worry about him getting out or anything like that. TOM ARNOLD ’S SISTER LORI DETAILS HOW SHE BECAME THE ‘ QUEEN OF METH ’ IN DOC : I NEEDED' TO FEEL ALIVE' Kara Robinson went on to pursue a career in law enforcement. ( Oxygen).

3. Marco Rubio:

   It is important for the United States to continue being a beacon of freedom for the Cuban people, i intend to work with my colleagues to block the administration’s efforts to pursue diplomatic relations with Cuba and name an ambassador to Havana until substantive progress is made on these important issues.

4. Ehsan Sehgal:

   Education is the only source that bestows the human mind's analytical ability to pursue all branches of knowledge. Awakens logical thinking, ability to seek new knowledge with determination; sharpens talent and enables a human being to lead him or herself along the path to success.

5. Kevin McCarthy:

   Adam Schiff, Benny Thompson, and Nancy Pelosi’s attempts to strong-arm private companies to turn over individuals’ private data would put every American with a phone or computer in the crosshairs of a surveillance state run by Democrat politicians, if they pursue this path, a Republican majority will not forget and will be ready to hold them fully accountable under the law.

Popularity rank by frequency of use