obey
oh-BAY
Obey (verb) means to do what someone in authority tells you to do. Example: “The dog was trained to obey simple commands like sit and stay.”
verb
1
To do what someone in authority tells you to do.
"The dog was trained to obey simple commands like sit and stay."
"Soldiers are trained to obey orders instantly."
"She refused to obey the curfew and stayed out past midnight."
2
To follow a rule, law, or instinct.
"Drivers must obey the traffic signals at all times."
How to use obey
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo do as you're told, or follow a rule or law.
Easily confused with
obay
Common pairings
obey orders
obey the law
obey a command
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- obeys
- Past tense
- obeyed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The dog was trained to _____ simple commands like sit and stay.
Etymology
From Old French obeir, from Latin oboedire — literally "to listen toward," from ob- + audire ("to hear"). Related to audient.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for obey
See all rhymes for obey →Frequently asked questions
What does “obey” mean?
The word “obey” means to do what someone in authority tells you to do. In plain terms, to do as you're told, or follow a rule or law.
How do you pronounce “obey”?
“Obey” is pronounced oh-BAY (/oʊˈbeɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “obey” in a sentence?
Here is “obey” used in a sentence: “Soldiers are trained to obey orders instantly.”
What is another word for “obey”?
Words with a similar meaning to “obey” include hearken, mind, accede, assent, acquiesce and comply.
What is the opposite of “obey”?
The opposite of “obey” — its antonyms — are disobey, defy, rebel, resist and violate.
What part of speech is “obey”?
“Obey” is a verb.
Where does the word “obey” come from?
The word “obey” comes from Latin. From Old French obeir, from Latin oboedire — literally "to listen toward," from ob- + audire ("to hear"). Related to audient.
Is “obey” a common word?
“Obey” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between obey and comply?
Obey typically implies doing what someone in authority tells you to do, often carrying a sense of submission to a person or command, while comply more broadly means acting in accordance with a rule, request, or regulation. Comply can sound more neutral or bureaucratic, whereas obey often implies a personal authority figure.
Can you obey a rule, or only a person?
You can obey both a person in authority and a rule, law, or instinct, since the word covers following instructions from someone as well as adhering to laws or natural impulses. For example, one can obey a parent's instructions or obey traffic laws.
What is the difference between obey and follow?
Obey specifically involves doing what someone in authority instructs or adhering to a rule or law, often implying a duty to comply, while follow is broader and can mean simply going along with an example, trend, or set of directions without any element of authority. All obeying involves a kind of following, but not all following involves obeying.
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