conformist

American  

[kuhn-fawr-mist] / kənˈfɔr mɪst /

noun

1. a person who conforms, especially unquestioningly, to the usual practices or standards of a group, society, etc.

2. (often initial capital letter) a person who conforms to the usages of an established church, especially the Church of England.

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adjective

1. of or characterized by conforming, especially in action or appearance.

conformist British  

/ kənˈfɔːmɪst /

noun

1. a person who adopts the attitudes, behaviour, dress, etc of the group to which he belongs

2. a person who complies with the practices of an established church, esp the Church of England

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adjective

1. of a conforming nature or character

Other Word Forms

• anticonformist
  noun
• conformism
  noun
• hyperconformist
  noun
• semiconformist
  noun
• superconformist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of conformist

First recorded in 1625–35; conform + -ist

Explanation

A conformist is a person who follows traditional standards of conduct. If you're a conformist, it's unlikely you'll join a revolution to overthrow your government; instead you'll argue that it's best to keep things the way they are. Conformist comes from the Old French word conformer, which means "to agree to, make or be similar, be agreeable." People sometimes use the term conformist in a negative way, as an insult implying that someone doesn't have the brains or the guts to question the status quo. Conformist can also be used as an adjective to describe something that follows convention and established customs. A conformist school board, for example, would follow the usual time-tested curriculum.

Example Sentences

But if, like me, you think today’s media is somehow unprecedentedly conformist, consider 2022’s “City of Newsmen: Public Lies and Professional Secrets in Cold War Washington” by Kathryn J. McGarr.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 28, 2025

Nora may be disappointed that her daughter is making such conformist choices, but Emmy sees no reason why the mother she never knew should feel entitled to shape her life.

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2025

"Attending a concert is a mix of bragging rights, being a conformist and being part of the scene," he says.

From BBC • Sep. 28, 2024

It’s the most conformist and hierarchical sport, its players subject to punishment if they do not follow the detailed orders of an older man who often has a military background.

From Slate • Aug. 21, 2024

Mom and Dad liked to make a big point about never surrendering to fear or to prejudice or to the narrow-minded conformist sticks-in-the-mud who tried to tell everyone else what was proper.

From "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls