obedient
uh-BEE-deernt
Obedient (adjective) means willing to follow instructions or do what someone in authority says. Example: “The dog was so obedient it sat the moment she gave the command.”
adjective
1
Willing to follow instructions or do what someone in authority says.
"Jessica was so intensely obedient of her parents that her brother sometimes thought she was a robot."
"The dog was so obedient it sat the moment she gave the command."
"Employees were expected to be quietly obedient, not to question decisions."
How to use obedient
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDoing as you're told, without arguing.
Common pairings
obedient child
obedient dog
blindly obedient
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like obedient.
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
- Plural
- obedients
- Comparative
- more obedient
- Superlative
- most obedient
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The dog was so _____ it sat the moment she gave the command.
Etymology
From Old French obedient, from Latin oboediens, "obeying" — from the same root as obey.
Related words
Rhymes for obedient
See all rhymes for obedient →Frequently asked questions
What does “obedient” mean?
The word “obedient” means willing to follow instructions or do what someone in authority says. In plain terms, doing as you're told, without arguing.
How do you pronounce “obedient”?
“Obedient” is pronounced uh-BEE-deernt (/əˈbidiənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “obedient” in a sentence?
Here is “obedient” used in a sentence: “The dog was so obedient it sat the moment she gave the command.”
What is the opposite of “obedient”?
The opposite of “obedient” — its antonyms — are disobedient, dominant, argumentative, breachy and defiant.
What part of speech is “obedient”?
“Obedient” is an adjective.
Where does the word “obedient” come from?
The word “obedient” comes from Latin. From Old French obedient, from Latin oboediens, "obeying" — from the same root as obey.
Is “obedient” a common word?
“Obedient” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
