What does pursue mean?
Pursue means to follow or chase something, to seek a goal, or to continue actively along a chosen course. Its literal sense involves following someone or something, but modern usage is especially common in figurative expressions such as pursuing a career, opportunity, goal, or investigation. The word often conveys determination and sustained effort: a person who pursues something is actively trying to obtain or advance it rather than merely considering it. In legal and business contexts, “pursue legal action” means to begin or continue proceedings, though it does not necessarily mean to prosecute someone. Pursue can also be followed by an inquiry, question, or matter, meaning to investigate it further. Across both literal and figurative uses, the central idea is movement toward a person, objective, or course of action.
verbTo follow, chase, or try to obtain or achieve someone or something. It can also mean to continue a course of action or inquiry.
- To try to obtain, achieve, or develop something.
- To follow, track, or chase someone or something.
- To continue a course of action, inquiry, or undertaking.
"The detectives continued to pursue the case despite mounting difficulties."
"After years of persistence, she decided to pursue her dream of studying medicine."
"The hound pursued the deer across the open field."
"The board will pursue the investigation while maintaining the independence of the inquiry."
Pursue literally means “follow onward”: its Latin ancestor combined a prefix meaning forward with a verb meaning to follow.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pursue come from?
The English verb was borrowed into Middle English from Old French pursue, which ultimately came from Latin persequi, a form of prosequi meaning “to follow onward.” Its sense developed from literally following or chasing someone to making a determined effort to obtain or accomplish something. The same Latin sequence-verb family also underlies English words such as persecute and prosecute.
Related word forms
How pursue is actually used
The verb is neutral in register but often sounds purposeful and determined when used figuratively. Expressions involving careers, opportunities, goals, and investigations are especially common in formal and professional contexts.
Easily confused with pursue
To pursue something is to seek or attempt to achieve it, whereas to persecute someone is to subject them to sustained, hostile harassment.