Pursue Meaning
/pəˈsjuː/Definition, CEFR level A2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
verbTo follow urgently, originally with intent to capture or harm; to chase.
verbTo follow, travel down (a particular way, course of action etc.).
Sentence Examples
Students often pursue their teacher with questions.
Some people pursue only pleasure.
If I were in good health, I could pursue my studies.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The detective decided to ____ the suspect through the busy streets until he was caught.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She decided to ____ a career in medicine after volunteering at a hospital during her gap year.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English pursuen, from Anglo-Norman pursure, poursuire etc., from Latin prōsequor (though influenced by persequor). Doublet of prosecute.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The wicked flee when no man purſueth: but the righteous are bolde as a lyon."
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Proverbs 28:1:
"He now feared for his life, and believed US intelligence agents would pursue him."
— 15 September 2009, Martin Chulov, “Iraqi shoe-thrower claims he suffered torture in jail”, in The Guardian:
"He even stands to gain in world terms: his noisy critics strengthen his projected image of a man determined to pursue peace with Palestinians."
— 1 December 2009, Benjamin Pogrund, “Freeze won't hurt Netanyahu”, in The Guardian:
"The Kedarites are depicted as herders of sheep and goats who pursued a seminomadic existence and lived scattered over a wide area of the desert region east of the land of Israel."
— 2001, David L. Lieber, Jules Harlow, Etz Hayim: Torah and Commentary, page 141:
"'Allow me, great king,' pursued the Demon, in a dry tone of voice, 'to wish you joy […]"
— 1870, Richard Francis Burton, “Conclusion”, in Vikram and the Vampire; or, Tales of Hindu Devilry, London: Longmans, Green, and Co, page 307:
Explore More A2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The detective decided to ____ the suspect through the busy streets until he was caught.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She decided to ____ a career in medicine after volunteering at a hospital during her gap year.