What does chase mean?
"Chase" is one of English's most versatile verbs of pursuit. At its most literal, it means to run after someone or something with the aim of catching it — a dog chasing a squirrel, police chasing a suspect. Figuratively, it extends to any eager striving toward a goal: chasing a promotion, chasing a dream, or chasing a deadline. The word also works as a noun for the pursuit itself, as in "the chase was thrilling." It carries connotations of energy, urgency, and sometimes futility — as in the idiomatic "wild goose chase," meaning a pointless search. In British usage, "chase up" has the distinct sense of pressing someone for information or action. Derived from Old French "chacier" and ultimately from Latin "captare" (to seize), "chase" shares deep roots with words like "catch" and "capture," making its history almost as dynamic as its meanings.
To pursue rapidly in order to catch; to seek or strive eagerly after something.
"The children chased each other around the playground."
Transitive in most uses; 'chase after' is common but often redundant with plain 'chase.'
An act of pursuing someone or something; a hunt.
"The thief led police on a high-speed chase through the city."
Frequently modified: 'car chase,' 'treasure chase,' 'wild goose chase.'
Regular plural of the noun 'chase'; used when referring to multiple instances of pursuit.
"The movie featured several dramatic car chases."
'Chase' and 'catch' look unrelated, but they're actually siblings — both descended from the same Latin root meaning 'to seize,' arriving in English through different French dialects.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of chase
"Chase" entered Middle English from the Old French "chacier," meaning to pursue or hunt, which itself derived from the Late Latin "captare," an intensive form of "capere" (to seize or take). A parallel borrowing through Anglo-Norman French gave rise to "catch," making the two words etymological siblings that diverged in form and nuance. The same Latin root also produced "capture," "captive," and "chattel." The verb has been in continuous use since the medieval period, originally in hunting contexts before broadening to general pursuit.
Related word forms
How chase is actually used
Common in both literal and figurative contexts. In British English, 'chase up' means to prompt or remind someone about something pending. The idiom 'a wild goose chase' refers to a futile pursuit. The metalworking sense is technical and rare.
Easily confused with chase
A 'chaise' is a light carriage or a long reclining chair (as in 'chaise longue'), while 'chase' is the act of pursuing.