- 1 [transitive, intransitive] to run, drive, etc. after somebody/something in order to catch them chase somebody/something My dog likes chasing rabbits. The kids chased each other around the kitchen table. We were chased by a bull while crossing the field. chase after somebody/something He chased after the burglar but couldn't catch him. Wordfinderhuntchase, falconry, game, hunt, open season, pack, poach, prey, safari, trail money/work/success
- 2[transitive] chase something to try to obtain or achieve something, for example money, work or success Too many people are chasing too few jobs nowadays. The team is chasing its first win in five games. man/woman
- 3[intransitive, transitive] (informal) to try to persuade somebody to have a sexual relationship with you chase after somebody Kevin's been chasing after Joan for months. chase somebody Girls are always chasing him. remind somebody
- 4[transitive] chase somebody (informal) to persuade somebody to do something that they should have done already I need to chase him about organizing the meeting. rush
- 5[intransitive] + adv./prep. (informal) to rush or hurry somewhere I've been chasing around town all morning looking for a present for Sharon. metal
- 6[transitive] chase something (specialist) to cut patterns or designs on metal chased silver Word Originverb senses 1 to 5 Middle English: from Old French chacier (verb), chace (noun), based on Latin captare ‘continue to take’, from capere ‘take’. verb sense 6 late Middle English: apparently from earlier enchase, from Old French enchasser.Extra examples The boys were chasing each other around the yard. They chased after the burglar but didn’t catch him. We lost him in the narrow streets and had to give up the chase.Idioms
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BrE BrE//tʃeɪs//; NAmE NAmE//tʃeɪs//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they chase BrE BrE//tʃeɪs//; NAmE NAmE//tʃeɪs//
he / she / it chases BrE BrE//ˈtʃeɪsɪz//; NAmE NAmE//ˈtʃeɪsɪz//
past simple chased BrE BrE//tʃeɪst//; NAmE NAmE//tʃeɪst//
past participle chased BrE BrE//tʃeɪst//; NAmE NAmE//tʃeɪst//
-ing form chasing BrE BrE//ˈtʃeɪsɪŋ//; NAmE NAmE//ˈtʃeɪsɪŋ//
(informal) to be very busy but in fact achieve very little Phrasal Verbschase awaychase up
Check pronunciation: chase
