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

• obeyer noun
• obeyable adjective
• 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

It was advised – and I obeyed – that I eat it immediately.

From Salon

But his solo status is due to a variety of factors, starting with his desperation to atone for his past mistakes — the worst of which exploited his awful father’s conditioning to obey authority.

From Salon

In evangelical Christianity, God is viewed as the ultimate father figure who is to be obeyed totally and blindly.

From Salon

The only way to make Siggie obey is to threaten him with destruction.

From Salon

"The number of foreign immigrants who don't obey the rules is increasing," argues the young voter Uta Kato.

From BBC

Related Words

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