Skip to main content
to conform

to conform

96 3.2
Think and act like other people or follow rules
  • verb
  • /kənˈfɔrm/
translation icon : ajustarse a
  • And nobody was going to make him conform to any standard except that which he considered fair.
  • conform to standards
  • conform to expectations
  • pressure to conform

And you know, if your child doesn't conform, then he's not a good student.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • Look, straight people like us as long as we conform, we behave by their little rules.

  • Indeed, the Reagan team framed no policies that conformed to its self-proclaimed global obligations.

    Academic text (1990)
  • Or I felt a sort of social pressure to conform and not rock the boat.

  • Why do we have to conform to what you want?

  • Once you conform, it's mostly not too bad.

  • However, peer pressure to conform to gender expectations can be quite strong.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Accordingly, he is willing at times to conform to the conventional expectations of Congress and the public.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Grandpa was a man of tradition, so I conformed to gain his respect.

  • Social pressures to conform, make safe choices and refrain from rocking the boat.

  • To fit in at school, many students feel the need to conform to the latest fashion trends.

Synonyms

to follow
vsto conform
1.0

To act according to rules, advice, or beliefs

adds the social angle of matching others' behaviour and thinking
to obey
vsto conform
411 1.0

Do what someone in charge tells you or follow a rule

focuses less on authority and more on fitting in with others or expectations
to comply
vsto conform
332 3.8

Do what a rule or person asks

adds the idea of fitting in with others' behaviour or expectations
to observe
vsto conform
93 3.4

To follow a rule or tradition by doing what it asks

is more about ordinary matching of behaviour and thought to others
to go by
vsto conform
91 1.8

To follow a rule or plan

leans more on matching people and expectations, not only formal standards
to adhere
vsto conform
87 4.7

Continue to follow and support a rule, belief, or person

emphasizes loyalty rather than simply matching behaviour or thought to others
to abide by
vsto conform
79 3.5

To accept and follow a rule, decision, or agreement

stresses fitting behaviour and thinking to others or wider expectations
to adhere to
vsto conform
79 3.9

To follow rules or instructions

is wider, also covering matching social behaviour and group norms
to follow the rule
vsto conform
55 2.8

Do what a rule says

is broader, including informal social matching as well as strict rule use
to conform to
vsto conform
50 3.7

Do what rules or standards say you must

is the general idea of matching others or rules in behaviour and thought
to fall in line
vsto conform
  • Informal
18 4.3

To follow rules or other people after not wanting to at first

is the neutral idea of matching behaviour or thinking from the start
to comport
vsto conform
  • Formal
13 8.0

Behave in a way that matches what people expect

is more about matching both actions and thoughts to others or rules
to toe the line
vsto conform
  • Informal
9 5.4

To do what people in charge expect and follow the rules exactly

is broader, covering matching others socially as well as strict rule following
to comply with regulations
vsto conform
  • Formal
1 3.4

Follow rules or laws that apply to you

is similar but applies beyond formal rules to social expectations too

Antonyms

51 5.8

To change direction or move away from a planned route

48 4.1

To act against the government or people in power

to dissent
  • Formal
39 6.8

To disagree publicly with an official idea or decision

Phrasal Verbs

50 3.7

Do what rules or standards say you must

How Compliant

to submit
187 4.1
to obey
411 1.0
to comply
332 3.8
to conform
96 3.2
to follow
1.0

Surface Forms

conform infinitive
conformed past
conformed past participle
conforming present participle
conforms third person singular

Morphology

conform = form (opaque) = con + form

Although historically related to 'form', the sense 'comply with rules or expectations' is not predictably derived for most learners from 'con-' plus 'form'.

Etymology

Conform comes from Latin parts com- meaning 'together' and form meaning 'shape', the same root you see in the everyday word form. So to conform is to be 'shaped together' with others or with rules, which is why it means to behave like others or follow expectations.