abide

[uh-bahyd]

verb (used without object)

abode, abided, abiding. 

1. to remain; continue; stay.

   Abide with me.

   Synonyms: tarry

2. to have one's abode; dwell; reside.

   to abide in a small Scottish village.

   Synonyms: live

3. to continue in a particular condition, attitude, relationship, etc.; last.

   Synonyms: endure, persevere

verb (used with object)

abode, abided, abiding. 

1. to put up with; tolerate; stand.

   I can't abide dishonesty!

   Synonyms: support, brook, endure, bear

2. to endure, sustain, or withstand without yielding or submitting.

   to abide a vigorous onslaught.

3. to wait for; await.

   to abide the coming of the Lord.

4. to accept without opposition or question.

   to abide the verdict of the judges.

5. to pay the price or penalty of; suffer for.

verb phrase

1. abide by

   1. to act in accord with.

   2. to submit to; agree to.

      to abide by the court's decision.

   3. to remain steadfast or faithful to; keep.

      If you make a promise, abide by it.

abide

/ əˈbaɪd /

verb

1. (tr) to tolerate; put up with

2. (tr) to accept or submit to; suffer

   to abide the court's decision

3. 1. to comply (with)

      to abide by the decision

   2. to remain faithful (to)

      to abide by your promise

4. (intr) to remain or continue

5. archaic,  (intr) to dwell

6. archaic,  (tr) to await in expectation

7. archaic,  (tr) to withstand or sustain; endure

   to abide the onslaught

Other Word Forms

• abidance noun
• abider noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of abide¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English abiden, Old English ābīdan; cognate with Old High German irbītan “to await,” Gothic usbeisns “expectation, patience”; equivalent to a- ³ + bide

Word History and Origins

Origin of abide¹

Old English ābīdan, from a- (intensive) + bīdan to wait, bide

Idioms and Phrases

• can't stand (abide)

Example Sentences

They decided for reasons lost to history that they could not abide each other.

From Los Angeles Times

“All personnel sitting in the booth must abide by policies that prohibit the use of electronic devices other than league-issued equipment such as a Microsoft Surface Tablet for the Sideline Viewing System.”

From Los Angeles Times

It said vendors were required to comply with the company's rules and "stringent safety standards and must also abide by the relevant laws and regulations of the markets where we operate".

From BBC

The Federal reserve declined to comment on the ruling but has previously said it would abide by the court's decision.

From BBC

But they have to abide by the team's rules of racing, or what team principal Andrea Stella calls "our principles and racing values".

From BBC

Related Words

• accept 
• stand for 
• tolerate