follower

[fol-oh-er]

noun

1. a person or thing that follows.

2. a person who follows another in regard to their ideas or belief; disciple or adherent.

   Synonyms: supporter
   Antonyms: foe, enemy, adversary, opponent

3. a person who imitates, copies, or takes as a model or ideal.

   He was little more than a follower of current modes.

4. an attendant, servant, or retainer.

5. a person who follows or subscribes to another's posts on a social media website.

   He spent hours figuring out how to get more followers on Twitter.

6. British Informal.,  a boyfriend or suitor, especially of a maidservant.

7. Machinery.,  a part receiving motion from or following the movements of another part, especially a cam.

8. Engineering, Building Trades.,  a concrete form attached to the head of a timber pile to permit casting of a concrete cap or pier.

follower

/ ˈfɒləʊə /

noun

1. a person who accepts the teachings of another; disciple; adherent

   a follower of Marx

2. an attendant or henchman

3. an enthusiast or supporter, as of a sport or team

4. (esp formerly) a male admirer

5. rare,  a pursuer

6. a machine part that derives its motion by following the motion of another part

Word History and Origins

Origin of follower¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English folwer, Old English folgere. See follow, -er ¹

Synonym Study

Follower, adherent, partisan refer to someone who demonstrates allegiance to a person, a doctrine, a cause, or the like. Follower often has an implication of personal relationship or of slavish acquiescence. Adherent, a more formal word, has implications of active championship of a person or a point of view. Partisan, ordinarily meaning a person prejudiced and unreasoning in adherence to a party, during World War II took on the meaning of a member of certain groups in occupied countries of Europe who carried on underground resistance to the Nazis.

Example Sentences

On her most popular Telegram channel she has issued "decrees" to absolve her more than 36,000 followers from bills and debts.

From BBC

Mr Alekari, who has been documenting his journey on social media to thousands of followers, said the theft was "painful" and had left him with a "broken heart".

From BBC

For his ardent followers, his disappearance holds the same level of intrigue as the 1963 killing of US President John F Kennedy.

From BBC

"I am very proud – really, look at what this city gives us," he announces to his followers.

From BBC

Ramsay — the host, most recently, of the reality TV show “Hell’s Kitchen” — has not been shy about sharing his health issues on social media, as well as offering cautionary advice to his followers.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• adherent 
• admirer 
• advocate 
• backer 
• believer 
• client 
• devotee 
• disciple 
• fan 
• member 
• participant 
• patron 
• supporter 
• worshiper www.thesaurus.com