Pursue
/pərˈsuː/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo follow or chase (someone or something) in order to catch or attack them.
/pərˈsuː/
To follow or chase someone or something.
The dog pursued the cat around the garden.
💡 Simply: Imagine you REALLY want a cookie! 'Pursue' means you're going after it, maybe running to get it before someone else does.
👶 For kids: To chase or try to catch something or someone.
More Examples
He pursued a career in medicine.
The detective pursued every lead in the case.
The hunter pursued the deer through the forest.
How It's Used
"The police pursued the suspect."
"The runner pursued the leader to the finish line."
To follow or strive to achieve or gain something.
/pərˈsuː/
To strive to achieve or gain something.
He pursued his passion for music.
💡 Simply: Think about having a big goal, like getting good grades. 'Pursue' means you're working hard to make it happen, like studying and asking questions.
👶 For kids: To try really hard to get something you want, like a toy or a good grade.
More Examples
She decided to pursue a career change.
They are pursuing peace negotiations.
He will pursue the opportunities that will arrive.
How It's Used
"She pursued her dream of becoming a writer."
"They pursued a degree in engineering."
To proceed along a course or through a space.
/pərˈsuː/
The road pursued a winding course through the mountains.
💡 Simply: It's like going along a path or road.
👶 For kids: To keep going on a path.
How It's Used
"We pursued our journey along the coast."
Idioms & expressions
pursue a line of inquiry
To investigate a particular topic or subject.
"The detective decided to pursue a line of inquiry based on the new evidence."
From Middle English pursuen, from Old French pursuir, from Latin prosequi ('to follow after, pursue'), from pro- ('forth, forward') + sequi ('to follow').
In older texts, 'pursue' could also mean to persecute or harass, but this meaning is much less common today.
Memory tip
Picture a hunter relentlessly following the tracks of their prey.
Word Origin
"to follow after, to follow forward"