Explanation at your level:
To pursue means to follow. If you see a ball roll away, you run to get it. You are pursuing the ball. You can also pursue a dream. If you want to be a doctor, you study hard. You are pursuing your dream.
When you pursue something, you try to get it. You might pursue a hobby like painting or sports. It means you spend time and energy on it. It is a good word for talking about your future plans.
Pursue is often used for long-term goals. You can pursue a career in medicine or pursue a degree at university. It implies that you have a plan and you are working step-by-step to reach that goal. It sounds more professional than just saying 'I want to do this.'
In professional settings, pursue is very common. You might 'pursue a new business opportunity' or 'pursue a legal claim.' It suggests a high level of dedication. Unlike 'chase,' which can sound impulsive, 'pursue' sounds calculated and strategic.
At the C1 level, you will encounter pursue in abstract contexts, such as 'pursuing a line of reasoning' or 'pursuing justice.' It conveys a sense of intellectual rigor. It is the verb of choice when describing a systematic effort to uncover truth or achieve complex, high-level objectives in academic or political discourse.
At the C2 level, pursue carries nuances of persistence against adversity. Literary usage often pairs it with 'relentless' or 'tireless.' It reflects the human condition of striving for the unattainable or the profound. Etymologically, it connects to the concept of sequence, reminding us that every great achievement is actually a sequence of smaller, deliberate actions taken over time.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Means to follow or chase.
- Used for physical and abstract goals.
- Formal tone.
- Regular verb.
When you pursue something, you are putting in the effort to get it. Think of it as a journey where you keep moving forward until you reach your destination. Whether you are literally running after a runaway dog or metaphorically chasing your dream of becoming an astronaut, the core idea is movement and intent.
You don't just 'want' things when you pursue them; you take active steps. It implies a sense of persistence. You aren't just waiting for success to fall into your lap; you are actively hunting for it. It is a very active, purposeful verb that shows you are serious about your objectives.
The word pursue has a fascinating history that travels back to the Old French word poursuir. This itself comes from the Latin prosequi, which means 'to follow after.' If you look closely, you can see the roots pro- (forward) and sequi (to follow).
Interestingly, this word is a distant cousin to 'sequence' and 'consecutive.' They all share that Latin root sequi. Over the centuries, the word moved from meaning a physical chase in a hunt to the more abstract way we use it today for careers and hobbies. It is a classic example of how language evolves from the physical world to the world of ideas and ambitions.
In English, pursue is considered a formal to neutral verb. You will see it often in business, academic, and legal contexts. For example, a company might 'pursue a new strategy,' or a student might 'pursue a degree' in biology.
Common collocations include pursue a career, pursue a goal, and pursue legal action. While you could use 'chase' in casual conversation, 'pursue' sounds more professional and deliberate. It is the perfect word to use when you want to sound focused, serious, and committed to a specific path or outcome.
While 'pursue' itself isn't always in idioms, it is often the action behind them. 1. Pursue a line of inquiry: To investigate a topic further. 2. Pursue one's own interests: To do what you want regardless of others. 3. Pursue a lost cause: To keep trying at something that will never succeed. 4. In hot pursuit: Chasing someone very closely. 5. Pursue a vendetta: To keep trying to get revenge on someone.
Pursue is a regular verb. The past tense is pursued, and the present participle is pursuing. Note the spelling change: we drop the 'e' before adding '-ing'.
Pronunciation is tricky for some. In the US, it sounds like per-SOO. In the UK, it is similar but often with a slightly clipped 'u' sound. It rhymes with accrue, imbue, and value (sort of). The stress is always on the second syllable, which is a common pattern for two-syllable verbs in English.
Fun Fact
It shares a root with 'consecutive'!
Pronunciation Guide
per-SYOO
per-SOO
Common Errors
- stressing the first syllable
- pronouncing the 's' as 'z'
- adding an extra syllable
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
easy
easy
easy
easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Verb Tenses
I am pursuing...
Examples by Level
I pursue the ball.
I follow the ball.
Simple subject-verb-object
She wants to pursue a career in art.
He is pursuing his dream of traveling.
They pursue the suspect.
We will pursue this plan.
I pursue my hobbies on weekends.
The cat pursues the mouse.
She pursues her studies daily.
They pursue new ideas.
He decided to pursue a degree in law.
The company will pursue a new marketing strategy.
She is pursuing a goal of running a marathon.
They are pursuing justice for the victims.
I don't want to pursue this argument.
He is pursuing a career in music.
We must pursue all options.
The police pursued the car.
The government is pursuing a policy of reform.
She is pursuing a PhD in physics.
We are pursuing a partnership with them.
He is pursuing a line of inquiry into the matter.
They are pursuing their interests abroad.
The team is pursuing a victory.
I will pursue this matter further.
She is pursuing a quiet life.
The journalist pursued the story for months.
They are pursuing a strategy of diversification.
He is pursuing a path of self-discovery.
The committee is pursuing a resolution.
She is pursuing a vision of equality.
We are pursuing a deeper understanding.
He is pursuing his ambition relentlessly.
The firm is pursuing legal remedies.
He pursued his philosophical interests with vigor.
The protagonist pursued a phantom of his past.
They pursued the elusive truth to the end.
She pursued her destiny against all odds.
The detective pursued a lead that went nowhere.
He pursued a life of asceticism.
They are pursuing a grand design for the city.
She pursued her art with a monastic devotion.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"in hot pursuit"
chasing closely
The police were in hot pursuit of the thief.
neutral""
""
""
""
""
Easily Confused
similar sound
prosecute is legal
The state will prosecute the thief.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + pursue + noun
I pursue my goals.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Pursue already means to follow, so 'after' is redundant.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a person running with a briefcase.
Professionalism
Use it in emails to sound serious.
The American Dream
Often used with 'happiness'.
Verb Pattern
Followed by a noun.
Stress
Stress the second syllable.
Redundancy
Don't use 'after'.
Latin Roots
It comes from 'sequi'.
Flashcards
Use collocations.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
PUR-sue: PURposefully SUE (chase) your goals.
Visual Association
A person running on a track toward a finish line.
Word Web
Challenge
Write down three things you are currently pursuing.
Word Origin
Old French
Original meaning: to follow after
Cultural Context
None
Used often in career-oriented cultures.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Career
- pursue a career
- pursue an opportunity
Conversation Starters
"What career are you pursuing?"
"Do you like to pursue new hobbies?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a goal you are currently pursuing.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsMostly, but pursue is more formal.
Test Yourself
I want to ___ my dream.
Pursue fits with dreams.
Which means to follow?
Pursue is a synonym for follow.
Pursue can mean to give up.
It means to keep going.
Word
Meaning
Matching synonyms and antonyms.
Correct structure is verb + object.
Score: /5
Summary
To pursue is to actively follow a path toward a goal.
- Means to follow or chase.
- Used for physical and abstract goals.
- Formal tone.
- Regular verb.
Memory Palace
Imagine a person running with a briefcase.
Professionalism
Use it in emails to sound serious.
The American Dream
Often used with 'happiness'.
Verb Pattern
Followed by a noun.
Example
She decided to pursue a career in medicine after high school.
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This Word in Other Languages
More Actions words
abcredance
C1To formally grant credibility or validate the authenticity of a claim, process, or document based on rigorous evidence. It involves the transition of a statement or entity from a state of uncertainty to one of accepted institutional or logical fact.
abnasccide
C1Describing something that is characterized by a natural tendency to shed, detach, or be cut off at a specific stage of development or under certain conditions. It is most commonly used in botanical or technical contexts to describe parts that are designed to separate from the main body.
absorb
B2To take in or soak up energy, liquid, or other substances by chemical or physical action; also used metaphorically to mean taking in and understanding information or grasping the full attention of someone.
abstain
C1To voluntarily refrain from an action or practice, especially one that is considered unhealthy or morally questionable. It is also used formally to describe the act of choosing not to cast a vote in an election or deliberation.
abvictly
C1To decisively and abruptly resolve a complex situation or dispute by exercising overwhelming force or authority. It describes the act of bringing an immediate, non-negotiable end to a conflict, often bypassing traditional steps of negotiation.
abvitfy
C1The inherent capacity or latent potential within a system or individual to adapt quickly and effectively to unforeseen technological or structural changes. It describes a sophisticated form of resilience that allows for an immediate pivot and evolution without a loss of core function.
accelerate
C1To increase the speed or rate of something, or to make a process happen sooner than expected. In technical contexts, it refers to the rate of change of velocity, while in general contexts, it often describes the speeding up of progress or development.
accept
A1To agree to receive something that someone offers you, or to say yes to an invitation or a suggestion. It can also mean to believe that something is true or to recognize a situation as it is.
achieve
A2To successfully reach a goal or finish a task using your effort and skills. It describes the act of completing something positive after working hard for it.
acquiesce
C1To accept something reluctantly but without protest. It describes a situation where someone agrees to a demand or proposal, often because they feel they have no other choice or do not wish to argue.
