conform
kuhn-FAWM
Conform (verb) means to match your behaviour, appearance, or attitudes to what is expected or normal, especially to fit in with a group. Example: “She refused to conform to the office dress code.”
verb
1
To match your behaviour, appearance, or attitudes to what is expected or normal, especially to fit in with a group.
"She refused to conform to the office dress code."
"Teenagers often feel pressure to conform to their friends' tastes."
"Some people conform simply because they are afraid of standing out from the crowd."
2
To meet a required standard, specification, or rule.
"The new wiring has to conform to the latest safety regulations."
"This batch of parts does not conform to spec and will be rejected."
"Please make sure your essay conforms to the formatting guidelines on the sheet."
How to use conform
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo go along with a standard, rule, or the behaviour of the group instead of doing your own thing.
Common mistake
Takes "to": conform TO the rules, not "conform the rules".
Common pairings
conform to standards
conform to expectations
refuse to conform
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like conform.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Third person singular
- conforms
- Past tense
- conformed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She refused to _____ to the office dress code.
Etymology
From Middle French conformer, from Latin conformare, "to shape something to match a pattern" — from com- ("together") + formare ("to form").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “conform” mean?
The word “conform” means to match your behaviour, appearance, or attitudes to what is expected or normal, especially to fit in with a group. In plain terms, to go along with a standard, rule, or the behaviour of the group instead of doing your own thing.
How do you pronounce “conform”?
“Conform” is pronounced kuhn-FAWM (/kənˈfɔɹm/ in IPA).
How do you use “conform” in a sentence?
Here is “conform” used in a sentence: “She refused to conform to the office dress code.”
What is another word for “conform”?
Words with a similar meaning to “conform” include comply, go along to get along, knuckle under, submit, blow with the wind and fall in line.
What is the opposite of “conform”?
The opposite of “conform” — its antonyms — is nonconform.
What part of speech is “conform”?
“Conform” is a verb.
Where does the word “conform” come from?
The word “conform” comes from Latin. From Middle French conformer, from Latin conformare, "to shape something to match a pattern" — from com- ("together") + formare ("to form").
Is “conform” a common word?
“Conform” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include conform:
