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Chasing Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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chasing

[หˆสงeษชsษชล‹ ]

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.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

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.

Origin of 'chasing'

Main points about word origin

  • 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.

The word 'chasing' comes from the Middle English word 'chasen', which means 'to pursue eagerly'. It has origins in Old French and ultimately derives from the Latin word 'captiare', meaning 'to seize'. Over time, the term has evolved to encompass various meanings related to pursuit, whether in a literal or metaphorical sense.

See also: chase, chaser.

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.