verb C1 Advanced Uncommon

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

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."

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."

How to use conform

Learner’s notes

In 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

Word forms

conformed past tense, conforms singular

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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").

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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comply go along to get along knuckle under submit blow with the wind fall in line fall in with float with the stream follow the crowd go with the flow

Antonyms

nonconform

Related words

control complete offer submit yield resist surrender rebel

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.

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