comply
kuhm-PLEYE
Comply (verb) means to act in accordance with a rule, request, or law. Example: “Drivers who do not comply with the speed limit may be fined.”
verb
1
To act in accordance with a rule, request, or law.
"Drivers who do not comply with the speed limit may be fined."
"All staff must comply with the new safety regulations."
"The company failed to comply with the court order."
How to use comply
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo go along with what a rule, law, or instruction requires.
Common mistake
Always followed by "with" (comply with the rules), not "to."
Easily confused with
Common pairings
comply with
fail to comply
refuse to comply
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- complies
- Past tense
- complied
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Drivers who do not _____ with the speed limit may be fined.
Etymology
From Italian complire and related Romance forms meaning "to fulfil, carry out," ultimately from Latin complere, "to complete or fill up."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “comply” mean?
The word “comply” means to act in accordance with a rule, request, or law. In plain terms, to go along with what a rule, law, or instruction requires.
How do you pronounce “comply”?
“Comply” is pronounced kuhm-PLEYE (/kəmˈplaɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “comply” in a sentence?
Here is “comply” used in a sentence: “All staff must comply with the new safety regulations.”
What part of speech is “comply”?
“Comply” is a verb.
Where does the word “comply” come from?
The word “comply” comes from Latin. From Italian complire and related Romance forms meaning "to fulfil, carry out," ultimately from Latin complere, "to complete or fill up.".
Is “comply” a common word?
“Comply” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
Is it "comply with" or "comply to"?
The standard preposition is with: you comply with a rule, request, or law. "Comply to" is nonstandard and best avoided in writing.
What is the difference between comply and obey?
Obey stresses following the command of a person or authority, while comply means acting in accordance with a rule, request, or law and often sounds more cooperative and less personal. Things can also comply — a building can comply with fire regulations — whereas obey is used mainly of people and animals.
What is the noun form of comply?
The noun is compliance, meaning the act of complying with a rule or request. The related adjective is compliant, describing a person or thing that complies.
What is the difference between comply and conform?
You comply with a specific rule, request, or law, but you conform to a general standard, pattern, or expectation. Comply suggests deliberately following an instruction; conform suggests matching a norm or shape.
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