pursuer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal / Neutral
Quick answer
What does “pursuer” mean?
A person who follows or chases someone or something in order to catch or catch up with them.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who follows or chases someone or something in order to catch or catch up with them.
A person or organization that is striving to achieve a particular goal, objective, or ambition; someone engaged in a course of action or a particular activity over time.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or meaning differences. Slightly higher frequency in British legal and journalistic contexts (e.g., 'pursuer' in Scottish law vs. 'plaintiff' in England & Wales).
Connotations
Both varieties share the core connotations of persistence and intent. In American English, may be slightly more associated with romantic or figurative contexts ('a pursuer of happiness').
Frequency
Relatively low-frequency noun in both varieties, more common in written than spoken language.
Grammar
How to Use “pursuer” in a Sentence
pursuer of [abstract noun, e.g., happiness, truth]pursuer [verb of motion, e.g., gained on, caught up with]acted as pursuerthe [adjective] pursuerVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “pursuer” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- To pursue
- He was pursuing a degree in law.
- The police pursued the suspect through the streets.
American English
- To pursue
- She is pursuing a career in medicine.
- The lawyer decided to pursue the case.
adverb
British English
- Pursuingly (extremely rare/archaic) - not recommended for use.
American English
- Pursuingly (extremely rare/archaic) - not recommended for use.
adjective
British English
- Pursuant (formal, legal) - 'pursuant to section 5'
- Pursuable (rare) - 'a pursuable goal'
American English
- Pursuant (formal, legal) - 'pursuant to our agreement'
- Pursuable (rare)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to describe a company aggressively trying to acquire another or gain market share (e.g., 'The company was a relentless pursuer of its competitors').
Academic
Common in philosophy, literature, and social sciences to describe someone engaged in intellectual inquiry (e.g., 'a pursuer of ontological truth').
Everyday
Used in narratives about personal goals, sports, or light contexts (e.g., 'He was a keen pursuer of the latest fashion').
Technical
In law (especially Scots law), the formal term for the plaintiff/complainant. Also used in physics/engineering for objects in motion relative to each other.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “pursuer”
- Misspelling as 'persuer'.
- Using it as a direct synonym for 'student' or 'employee' without the nuance of active striving.
- Incorrect plural: 'pursuers' (correct), not 'pursueres'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily, yes, but it can be applied metaphorically to organizations, companies, or even abstract forces ('Time is a relentless pursuer').
'Pursuer' is more formal and often implies a longer-term, more determined goal. 'Chaser' is more informal and often literal (e.g., 'drink chaser'). 'Pursuer' can be figurative; 'chaser' less so.
Absolutely. While it can imply a threatening chase, it often has a positive or neutral connotation when referring to the pursuit of goals, knowledge, or excellence (e.g., 'a pursuer of peace').
There is no gender-specific form. 'Pursuer' is a gender-neutral noun. You would specify gender through context or pronouns (e.g., 'She was the pursuer').
A person who follows or chases someone or something in order to catch or catch up with them.
Pursuer is usually formal / neutral in register.
Pursuer: in British English it is pronounced /pəˈsjuː.ər/, and in American English it is pronounced /pərˈsuː.ɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “play the pursuer”
- “the pursuer becomes the pursued”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: PUR-SUE-R. A person who is in the process of PUR-SUING something or someone.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A CHASE / GOALS ARE TARGETS TO BE CAUGHT. A 'pursuer' is the actor in this chase.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'pursuer' used as a formal, technical term?