following

following

I

fol‧low‧ing¹ S3 W1 /ˈfɒləʊɪŋ $ ˈfɑːloʊ-/ adjective1. the following afternoon/month/page/chapter etc the next afternoon, month etc
   OPP  preceding:
    He was sick in the evening, but the following day he was better.
2. the following example/way etc the example, way etc that will be mentioned next:
    Payment may be made in any of the following ways: cheque, cash, or credit card.
3. a following wind a wind that is blowing in the same direction as a ship, and helps it to move faster
     

THESAURUS

   ▪ later happening or existing at some time in the future after something or someone else: We will discuss this at a later time. | Later historians have cast doubt on the truth of his story. | They say that they may need to review the case at a later stage.
   ▪ following happening or coming immediately after something – used about periods of time, or parts of a piece of writing: He resigned the following year. | The following day he was back to normal. | Gandhi 's attitude to religion is dealt with in the following chapter.
   ▪ future likely to happen or exist at some time in the future: What influence will this have on future developments?
   ▪ subsequent formal happening or coming at some time after something else: a subsequent decision by the Supreme Court | Subsequent events proved him wrong. | In subsequent years, the number of patients became smaller and smaller.
   ▪ succeeding coming after someone or something else - used about a series of groups of people, periods of time, or parts of a book: His work was admired by succeeding generations. | Over the succeeding months, the stitches were carefully removed. | These problems are further discussed in the succeeding chapters.

II

following² noun [countable]1. [usually singular] a group of people who support or admire someone:
    The band has a big following in Europe.
2. the following the people or things that you are going to mention:
    The following have been selected to play in tomorrow’s game: Louise Carus, Fiona Douglas ...
     

THESAURUS

   ▪ next happening or coming immediately after another one: When does the next train to London leave? | I’ll see you next Saturday.
   ▪ following happening or coming immediately after something – used about periods of time, or parts of a piece of writing: We met the following day. | The following weeks passed quickly. | the following pages of the book
   ▪ subsequent formal happening or coming at some time after something else: the subsequent success of the film | This will be explained in more detail in subsequent chapters. | This figure is expected to rise steeply in subsequent years.
   ▪ succeeding coming after someone or something else – used about a series of groups of people, periods of time, or parts of a book: succeeding generations | Succeeding governments have made the same mistake. | During the succeeding weeks he wrote several more letters.
   ▪ coming happening soon: The information will be mailed to members during the coming weeks. | The villagers are storing up wood for the coming winter.

III

following³ preposition
after an event or as a result of it
   OPP  before:
    Following the president’s speech, there will be a few minutes for questions.
    Thousands of refugees left the country following the outbreak of civil war.
     

THESAURUS

   ▪ next happening or coming immediately after another one: When does the next train to London leave? | I’ll see you next Saturday.
   ▪ following happening or coming immediately after something – used about periods of time, or parts of a piece of writing: We met the following day. | The following weeks passed quickly. | the following pages of the book
   ▪ subsequent formal happening or coming at some time after something else: the subsequent success of the film | This will be explained in more detail in subsequent chapters. | This figure is expected to rise steeply in subsequent years.
   ▪ succeeding coming after someone or something else – used about a series of groups of people, periods of time, or parts of a book: succeeding generations | Succeeding governments have made the same mistake. | During the succeeding weeks he wrote several more letters.
   ▪ coming happening soon: The information will be mailed to members during the coming weeks. | The villagers are storing up wood for the coming winter.