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Chasing: meaning, definitions and examples

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chasing

 

[ˈʧeɪsɪŋ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

in a race

The act of pursuing someone or something in order to catch them.

Synonyms

following, pursuing, running after.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
chasing

Used when someone is running quickly after something or someone with the intention of catching them or it, often implying urgency or excitement.

  • The dog is chasing the ball
  • He spent the whole summer chasing his dreams

Examples of usage

  • He was chasing the thief through the crowded streets.
  • The dog was chasing the squirrel up the tree.
  • We were chasing the leader in the final lap of the race.
Context #2 | Verb

in a playful manner

To run or follow someone or something eagerly in order to play or have fun.

Synonyms

engaging in a pursuit, playing tag, running around.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
chasing

Use when someone or something is following someone or something else, often with determination or speed, usually to catch or get something.

  • The police were chasing the suspect through the streets.
  • The cat was chasing the mouse across the yard.
playing tag

Use when children or people are participating in the game where one person tries to touch others within a certain area.

  • The children were laughing and playing tag in the backyard.
  • During recess, the kids enjoyed playing tag.
running around

Best used to describe general, often aimless or playful activity involving running, usually without a specific goal or target.

  • The dogs were running around the park, full of energy.
  • He spent the afternoon running around with his friends.
engaging in a pursuit

Formal and often used in official or serious contexts when referring to someone being involved in an act of pursuing something or someone.

  • The team is engaging in a pursuit of excellence.
  • They were engaging in a pursuit to capture the fugitive.

Examples of usage

  • The children were chasing each other around the playground.
  • The puppy was chasing its tail in circles.
  • She enjoys chasing her cat with a laser pointer.
Context #3 | Noun

sports

The act of striving to catch or overtake someone or something, typically in a competitive environment.

Synonyms

competition, pursuit, race.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
chasing

Use 'chasing' to describe an active effort to catch or follow someone or something, often involving physical movement or an urgent need.

  • The police are chasing the thief through the city streets.
  • The cat keeps chasing the mouse around the house.
pursuit

Use 'pursuit' to describe the act of striving for or seeking something, which can be either physical chasing or a goal or ambition. It can be used in a more formal or serious context.

  • His pursuit of happiness led him to make some drastic changes in his life.
  • The police were in hot pursuit of the suspect.
race

Use 'race' to describe a competition of speed, where participants strive to reach a goal or finish line first. It usually involves vehicles, animals, or people running.

  • He trained hard for the upcoming marathon race.
  • The horse race attracted a huge crowd of spectators.
competition

Use 'competition' to describe a situation where individuals or groups are trying to win or achieve something, often against each other, in a structured or organized manner.

  • The annual school competition will take place next week.
  • There's a lot of competition among businesses in this market.

Examples of usage

  • He gave everything he had in the chasing phase of the cycling race.
  • The chasing pack was gaining on the leader in the final stretch.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from Old French 'chacier', which means 'to hunt or pursue'.
  • Its roots can be traced back to Latin 'captare', meaning 'to seize' or 'to take'.
  • The modern spelling began to solidify in English around the 14th century.

Psychology

  • Chasing often stimulates adrenaline, which can heighten excitement and focus.
  • It can be both a playful activity, like games, or symbolic of pursuing goals in life.
  • The act of chasing can represent ambition; people often 'chase' their dreams and aspirations.

Pop Culture

  • Chasing is a popular theme in many movies, especially in action films where characters are often in high-speed pursuits.
  • In literature, a common plot device involves a character chasing after something important, which drives the story forward.
  • Popular children's cartoons often feature characters like Scooby-Doo regularly chasing or being chased by monsters.

Animal Behavior

  • In nature, many animals chase to catch their prey, showcasing a fundamental aspect of survival.
  • Dogs are known for chasing moving objects, which relates to their instinct to hunt.
  • Chasing behaviors can become playful, facilitating social bonding among animals, especially among young ones.

Sports

  • Chasing is integral in many sports, such as pursuing a ball in soccer or basketball.
  • In athletics, participants often chase their personal records, constantly striving for improvement.
  • Chasing down an opponent can be strategic, with athletes using speed and endurance to gain an advantage.

Translations

Translations of the word "chasing" in other languages:

🇵🇹 perseguição

🇮🇳 पीछा करना

🇩🇪 Verfolgung

🇮🇩 mengejar

🇺🇦 переслідування

🇵🇱 pościg

🇯🇵 追跡 (tsuiseki)

🇫🇷 poursuite

🇪🇸 persecución

🇹🇷 takip

🇰🇷 추적 (chujeok)

🇸🇦 مطاردة (muṭārada)

🇨🇿 pronásledování

🇸🇰 prenasledovanie

🇨🇳 追逐 (zhuīzhú)

🇸🇮 zasledovanje

🇮🇸 elt

🇰🇿 қуғындау

🇬🇪 დევნა (devna)

🇦🇿 təqib

🇲🇽 persecución

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,759, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.