follower

[ fol-oh-er ]

noun

1. a person or thing that follows.
2. a person who follows another in regard to their ideas or belief; disciple or adherent.

   Synonyms: supporter

   Antonyms: foe, enemy, adversary, opponent

3. a person who imitates, copies, or takes as a model or ideal:

   He was little more than a follower of current modes.

4. an attendant, servant, or retainer.
5. a person who follows or subscribes to another's posts on a social media website:

   He spent hours figuring out how to get more followers on Twitter.

6. British Informal. a boyfriend or suitor, especially of a maidservant.
7. Machinery. a part receiving motion from or following the movements of another part, especially a cam.
8. Engineering, Building Trades. a concrete form attached to the head of a timber pile to permit casting of a concrete cap or pier.

follower

/ ˈfɒləʊə /

noun

1. a person who accepts the teachings of another; disciple; adherent

   a follower of Marx

2. an attendant or henchman
3. an enthusiast or supporter, as of a sport or team
4. (esp formerly) a male admirer
5. rare.
   a pursuer
6. a machine part that derives its motion by following the motion of another part

Word History and Origins

Origin of follower¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English folwer, Old English folgere. See follow, -er ¹

Synonym Study

Follower, adherent, partisan refer to someone who demonstrates allegiance to a person, a doctrine, a cause, or the like. Follower often has an implication of personal relationship or of slavish acquiescence. Adherent, a more formal word, has implications of active championship of a person or a point of view. Partisan, ordinarily meaning a person prejudiced and unreasoning in adherence to a party, during World War II took on the meaning of a member of certain groups in occupied countries of Europe who carried on underground resistance to the Nazis.

Example Sentences

In the past few years, a number of celebrities have run into legal trouble for promoting crypto to followers without disclosing that they had vested interests.

From BBC

They are proud followers of Islam - a religion practised by roughly one in five Ghanaians.

From BBC

Nabugodi, known for sharing comedy content to his 20,000 followers, made a film of a mock trial of the head of state.

From BBC

"Massive relief to see some light coming though. Thanks for all the good vibes coming in from all angles," Mr Douglas continued in the post to McCall's 1.9 million followers.

From BBC

On the other hand, Trump has repeatedly promised to pardon his followers who attacked the Capitol as part of his coup attempt on Jan. 6.

From Salon

Related Words

• adherent
• admirer
• advocate
• backer
• believer
• client
• devotee
• disciple
• fan
• member
• participant
• patron
• supporter
• worshiper