obey

[oh-bey]

verb (used with object)

1. to comply with or follow the commands, restrictions, wishes, or instructions of.

   to obey one's parents.

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

3. (of things) to respond conformably in action to.

   The car obeyed the slightest touch of the steering wheel.

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

verb (used without object)

1. to be obedient.

   to agree to obey.

obey

/ əˈbeɪ /

verb

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

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

Other Word Forms

• obeyable adjective
• obeyer noun
• obeyingly adverb
• unobeyed adjective
• unobeying adjective
• well-obeyed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of obey¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English obeien, from Old French obeir, from Latin oboedīre, equivalent to ob- ob- + audīre “to hear”; -oe- for expected -ū- is unclear

Word History and Origins

Origin of obey¹

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

Example Sentences

In it, they tell military members they do not need to obey illegal commands.

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All servicemembers have a legal obligation to obey lawful orders, the Defense Department said.

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Carrick would strangle her, call her abusive names and kick her out of the house if she did not obey him.

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Penelope put down her pole and made off at a trot, for by now she knew that walking was no way for a sailor to obey a summons from the captain.

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The children scurried to obey, and Penelope could not help thinking that the eagerness and good cheer of her students was the very best present of all.

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Related Words

• accept 
• adhere to www.thesaurus.com
• carry out 
• comply 
• embrace 
• execute 
• heed 
• live by www.thesaurus.com
• observe 
• surrender