abide

American  

[uh-bahyd] / əˈbaɪd /

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

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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 British  

/ 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

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abide Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing abide

• can't stand (abide)

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Other Word Forms

• abidance noun
• abider noun

Etymology

Origin of abide

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

Example Sentences

While most tech companies have pledged to abide by Australian laws, they have warned that the heavy-handed move could simply push teens to darker, less-regulated corners of the internet.

From Barron's

Stadium decisions take on outsize influence because pro sports fans have abiding loyalties.

From The Wall Street Journal

And then there are the many authors who can’t abide working in a room of their own.

From The Wall Street Journal

“It is unacceptable and illegal for a business to sell or dispose of these vehicles without abiding by the laws that protect servicemembers.”

From Los Angeles Times

That is, living in your home and abiding by your rules, and going to college with your financial help.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• accept
• stand for
• tolerate