follow-up

American  

[fol-oh-uhp] / ˈfɒl oʊˌʌp /

noun

1. the act of following up.

2. an action or thing that serves to increase the effectiveness of a previous one, as a second or subsequent letter, phone call, or visit.

3. Also called follow.  Journalism.

   1. a news story providing additional information on a story or article previously published.

   2. Also called supplementary story.  Also called sidebar.  a minor news story used to supplement a related story of major importance.

---

adjective

1. designed or serving to follow up, especially to increase the effectiveness of a previous action.

   a follow-up interview; a follow-up offer.

2. of or relating to action that follows an initial treatment, course of study, etc..

   follow-up care for mental patients; a follow-up survey.

follow up British  

verb

1. to pursue or investigate (a person, evidence, etc) closely

2. to continue (action) after a beginning, esp to increase its effect

---

noun

1. 1. something done to reinforce an initial action

   2. ( as modifier )

      a follow-up letter

2. med a routine examination of a patient at various intervals after medical or surgical treatment

follow up Idioms  

1. Carry to completion. For example, I'm following up their suggestions with concrete proposals . Also see follow through .

2. Increase the effectiveness or enhance the success of something by further action. For example, She followed up her interview with a phone call . [Late 1700s]

---

Etymology

Origin of follow-up

First recorded in 1920–25; noun, adj. use of verb phrase follow up

Example Sentences

“If a high number of those children are not getting the follow-up care, we may just be fooling ourselves and checking a box,” Chung said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

Public users start by typing in a strategy or investment thesis, then refine its parameters with follow-up questions.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

But while that record was largely written at home and recorded with her friend Ollie Green, Ridings says she was pressured into working with a host of A-list producers for the follow-up.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

Robinson is planning a follow-up rally in mid-May.

From Barron's • Mar. 28, 2026

Before anyone could ask a follow-up, Venkat strode out the side door and hurried down the hall to the makeshift Pathfinder control center.

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir