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 Words From

• non·follow·ing 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

Related Words

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