follow-up

[ fol-oh-uhp ]
/ ˈfɒl oʊˌʌp /

noun

the act of following up.
an action or thing that serves to increase the effectiveness of a previous one, as a second or subsequent letter, phone call, or visit.
Also called follow. Journalism.
  1. a news story providing additional information on a story or article previously published.
  2. Also called sidebar, supplementary story. a minor news story used to supplement a related story of major importance.Compare feature story(def 1), human-interest story, shirttail.

adjective

designed or serving to follow up, especially to increase the effectiveness of a previous action: a follow-up interview; a follow-up offer.
of or relating to action that follows an initial treatment, course of study, etc.: follow-up care for mental patients; a follow-up survey.

Origin of follow-up

First recorded in 1920–25; noun, adj. use of verb phrase follow up

Definition for follow up (2 of 2)

Origin of follow

before 900; Middle English folwen, Old English folgian; cognate with Old Saxon folgon, Old High German folgēn, folgōn (German folgen)

SYNONYMS FOR follow

3 obey.
19 arise, proceed. Follow, ensue, result, succeed imply coming after something else, in a natural sequence. Follow is the general word: We must wait to see what follows. A detailed account follows. Ensue implies a logical sequence, what might be expected normally to come after a given act, cause, etc.: When the power lines were cut, a paralysis of transportation ensued. Result emphasizes the connection between a cause or event and its effect, consequence, or outcome: The accident resulted in injuries to those involved. Succeed implies coming after in time, particularly coming into a title, office, etc.: Formerly the oldest son succeeded to his father's title.

OTHER WORDS FROM follow

fol·low·a·ble, adjective un·fol·low·a·ble, adjective un·fol·lowed, adjective well-fol·lowed, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for follow up (1 of 2)

follow up

verb (tr, adverb)

to pursue or investigate (a person, evidence, etc) closely
to continue (action) after a beginning, esp to increase its effect

noun follow-up

  1. something done to reinforce an initial action
  2. (as modifier)a follow-up letter
med a routine examination of a patient at various intervals after medical or surgical treatment

British Dictionary definitions for follow up (2 of 2)

follow
/ (ˈfɒləʊ) /

verb

noun

billiards snooker
  1. a forward spin imparted to a cue ball causing it to roll after the object ball
  2. a shot made in this way

Derived forms of follow

followable, adjective

Word Origin for follow

Old English folgian; related to Old Frisian folgia, Old Saxon folgōn, Old High German folgēn

Idioms and Phrases with follow up (1 of 2)

follow up

1

Carry to completion. For example, I'm following up their suggestions with concrete proposals. Also see follow through.

2

Increase the effectiveness or enhance the success of something by further action. For example, She followed up her interview with a phone call. [Late 1700s]

Idioms and Phrases with follow up (2 of 2)

follow