obey
[ oh-bey ]
/ oʊˈbeɪ /
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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.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!
Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.
Question 1 of 7
“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.
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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
OTHER WORDS FROM obey
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Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for obey
British Dictionary definitions for obey
obey
/ (əˈbeɪ) /
verb
to carry out (instructions or orders); comply with (demands)
to behave or act in accordance with (one's feelings, whims, etc)
Derived forms of obey
obeyer, nounWord 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
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