What does pursuing mean?
“Pursuing” means following, tracking, or trying to catch someone or something, but the word is also used figuratively for persistent efforts to achieve a goal, investigate a question, continue a course of action, or seek someone’s affection. “Pursuing a career” is a familiar example: the phrase presents a career as something pursued with determination and ambition rather than merely entered. In legal and investigative contexts, “pursuing an investigation” means actively following up questions, evidence, or leads. The verb can convey physical pursuit, as when someone pursues a fleeing vehicle, or a more purposeful, sustained search for an objective. Its common collocations include “pursue a goal,” “pursue an investigation,” and “pursue legal action.” Although it can sound formal in business, academic, and legal writing, “pursue” remains standard in everyday English.
verbTo follow or try to catch someone or something, especially in order to catch or stop them. It can also mean to try to achieve an objective, investigate a matter, or continue a course of action.
- To follow or try to catch a person, animal, vehicle, or thing.
- To try to attain an objective, opportunity, or desired outcome.
- To investigate or enquire into a matter, especially by asking questions or gathering evidence.
- To continue or persist in a course of action.
- To seek the company or romantic attention of someone.
"The investigators continued pursuing leads across the country."
"The dog was pursuing a rabbit across the field."
"After graduating, she decided to pursue a career in medicine."
From following a trail to pursuing a career, the word covers everything from literal pursuit to determined ambition.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pursuing come from?
“Pursue” comes through Anglo-French and Old French from Latin persequi, a compound of per-, meaning “through” or “to the end,” and sequi, meaning “follow.” The word originally referred to following or attempting to catch someone, including a fugitive or an enemy. It later developed figurative meanings involving seeking an objective, following a course of action, and continuing an inquiry or legal proceeding.
Related word forms
How pursuing is actually used
“Pursuing” is the present participle and gerund form of “pursue.” It can also function attributively, as in “a pursuing athlete,” meaning an athlete engaged in pursuit. The pronunciation is commonly /pəˈsuː/ in American English and /pəˈsjuː/ in British English.
Easily confused with pursuing
Pursuing means following, chasing, or trying to achieve something, whereas perusing means reading a document carefully.
Pursuing an investigation is not the same as prosecuting a person, which means formally bringing criminal charges against them.