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verb (used with object), pur·sued, pur·su·ing.
  2. to follow close upon; go with; attend: Bad luck pursued him.
  3. to strive to gain; seek to attain or accomplish (an end, object, purpose, etc.).
  6. to continue to annoy, afflict, or trouble.
  7. to practice (an occupation, pastime, etc.).
  8. to continue to discuss (a subject, topic, etc.).
  9. to follow: They pursued the river to its source. I felt their eyes pursuing me.
  10. to continue; go on with (one's course, a journey, etc.).
verb (used without object), pur·sued, pur·su·ing.
  1. to chase after someone or something; to follow in pursuit: They spotted the suspect but decided not to pursue.
  2. to continue.

Origin of pursue

1250–1300; Middle English pursuen < Anglo-French pursuerLatin prōsequī to pursue, follow, continue. See pro-1, sue, prosecute
Related formspur·su·a·ble, adjectiveout·pur·sue, verb (used with object), out·pur·sued, out·pur·su·ing.re·pur·sue, verb (used with object), re·pur·sued, re·pur·su·ing.un·pur·su·a·ble, adjectiveun·pur·sued, adjectiveun·pur·su·ing, adjective
Can be confusedperuse pursue


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1. trail, hunt. 2. dog.
British Dictionary definitions for pursuable


verb -sues, -suing or -sued (mainly tr)
  1. (also intr) to follow (a fugitive, etc) in order to capture or overtake
  2. (esp of something bad or unlucky) to follow closely or accompanyill health pursued her
  3. to seek or strive to attain (some object, desire, etc)
  4. to follow the precepts of (a plan, policy, etc)
  5. to apply oneself to (one's studies, hobbies, etc)
  6. to follow persistently or seek to become acquainted with
  7. to continue to discuss or argue (a point, subject, etc)
Derived Formspursuer, noun

Word Origin

C13: from Anglo-Norman pursiwer, from Old French poursivre, from Latin prōsequī to follow after

Word Origin and History for pursuable




Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper