obey

[oh-bey]

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verb (used with object)

to comply with or follow the commands, restrictions, wishes, or instructions of: to obey one's parents.

to comply with or follow (a command, restriction, wish, instruction, etc.).

(of things) to respond conformably in action to: The car obeyed the slightest touch of the steering wheel.

to submit or conform in action to (some guiding principle, impulse, one's conscience, etc.).

verb (used without object)

to be obedient: to agree to obey.

Origin of obey

1250–1300; Middle English obeien < Old French obeir < Latin oboedīre, equivalent to ob- ob- + audīre to hear; -oe- for expected -ū- is unclear

Related formso·bey·a·ble, adjectiveo·bey·er, nouno·bey·ing·ly, adverbun·o·beyed, adjectiveun·o·bey·ing, adjectivewell-o·beyed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for obey

execute, accept, observe, embrace, heed, surrender, comply, respond, accord, accede, concur, acquiesce, perform, serve, mind, submit, keep, discharge, answer, follow

Examples from the Web for obey

Contemporary Examples of obey

Those advocating justice should first obey the rule of law themselves.
It’s Time to Hold Protesters Accountable
Ron Christie
December 4, 2014
This argument is vital to a larger argument: Do we obey the rules set up to constrain government or not?
Obama’s ISIS War Is Illegal
Sen. Rand Paul
November 10, 2014
THE DISHONOR OF HONOR KILLINGS Imagine a young woman killed by her own relatives for failing to obey.
Lone Star Leaders
October 24, 2014
No soldier is obliged to obey a law contrary to the law of God.
Why Pope Francis Wants to Declare Murdered Archbishop Romero a Saint
Christopher Dickey
August 24, 2014
I continue to live here, work here, pay the taxes and obey the law.
Men Without a Country: Mike Brown, Trayvon Martin, My Father and Me
Arthur Chu
August 12, 2014

Historical Examples of obey

Your mother shall not see you; nor will I. Prepare however to obey.
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson
In a pinch they would obey you nearly as well as they obey me.
Way of the Lawless
Max Brand
Dearest Madam, forgive me: it was always my pride and my pleasure to obey you.
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson
All things are bound to obey Him, He is not bound to obey any.
A Theological-Political Treatise [Part III]
Benedict of Spinoza
"I obey directions," he said, bowing respectfully to Mr. Roberts.
Ester Ried Yet Speaking
Isabella Alden

British Dictionary definitions for obey

obey

verb

to carry out (instructions or orders); comply with (demands)

to behave or act in accordance with (one's feelings, whims, etc)

Derived Formsobeyer, noun

Word Origin for obey

C13: from Old French obéir, from Latin oboedīre, from ob- to, towards + audīre to hear

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for obey

late 13c., from Old French obeir "obey, be obedient, do one's duty" (12c.), from Latin obedire, oboedire "obey, be subject, serve; pay attention to, give ear," literally "listen to," from ob "to" (see ob-) + audire "listen, hear" (see audience). Same sense development is in cognate Old English hiersumnian. Related: Obeyed; obeying.