abide

American  

[uh-bahyd] / əˈbaɪd /

verb (used without object)

abode, abided, abiding

1. to remain; continue; stay.

   Abide with me.

   Synonyms:

   tarry

2. to have one's abode; dwell; reside.

   to abide in a small Scottish village.

   Synonyms:

   live

3. to continue in a particular condition, attitude, relationship, etc.; last.

   Synonyms:

   endure, persevere

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verb (used with object)

abode, abided, abiding

1. to put up with; tolerate; stand.

   I can't abide dishonesty!

   Synonyms:

   support, brook, endure, bear

2. to endure, sustain, or withstand without yielding or submitting.

   to abide a vigorous onslaught.

3. to wait for; await.

   to abide the coming of the Lord.

4. to accept without opposition or question.

   to abide the verdict of the judges.

5. to pay the price or penalty of; suffer for.

verb phrase

1. abide by

   1. to act in accord with.

   2. to submit to; agree to.

      to abide by the court's decision.

   3. to remain steadfast or faithful to; keep.

      If you make a promise, abide by it.

abide British  

/ əˈbaɪd /

verb

1. (tr) to tolerate; put up with

2. (tr) to accept or submit to; suffer

   to abide the court's decision

3. 1. to comply (with)

      to abide by the decision

   2. to remain faithful (to)

      to abide by your promise

4. (intr) to remain or continue

5. archaic (intr) to dwell

6. archaic (tr) to await in expectation

7. archaic (tr) to withstand or sustain; endure

   to abide the onslaught

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abide Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing abide

• can't stand (abide)

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Other Word Forms

• abidance noun
• abider noun

Etymology

Origin of abide

First recorded before 1000; Middle English abiden, Old English ābīdan; cognate with Old High German irbītan “to await,” Gothic usbeisns “expectation, patience”; equivalent to a- ³ + bide

Explanation

Abide means "to be able to live with or put up with." If you can't abide with something, it means you can't stand it. If you can abide it, it means you can live with it. An old definition of abide is "to live" — think of abode, as in "dwelling." If you abide by the rules, it means you live with them, and you will follow them. If you can't abide your sister's shrill violin playing, it means you can't live with it, you can't be in the house when she's practicing. You abide something you don't like, like your teacher's long stories about math. It's not a pleasant experience, but what choice do you have?

Example Sentences

In a press conference, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun also urged diplomacy and called on the United States and Iran to abide by their ceasefire, after the failure of weekend peace talks in Pakistan.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

“Passage in accordance with international law. No challenge is intended to you, and I intend to abide by rules of our government’s cease-fire,” the U.S. ship responded.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

If she wishes to continue to receive your financial support, it makes sense that she should abide by your rules.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 26, 2026

Twitter took Musk to court in order to force the multi-billionaire to abide by the deal, and in early October Musk did so, taking over Twitter at the originally agreed upon price.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

I can’t abide the Drills, but as I turn on the Green & muster, this Point keeps me a-marching: that we must be in utmost Preparation for the Battle, should it come.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party" by M.T. Anderson

Related Words

• accept
• stand for
• tolerate