abide
Americanverb (used without object)
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abides,
present (3rd person singular)
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abode,
past participle, past
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abided,
past participle, past
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abiding
present participle
verb (used with object)
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abides,
present (3rd person singular)
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abode,
past participle, past
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abided,
past participle, past
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abiding
present participle
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to put up with; tolerate; stand.
I can't abide dishonesty!
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to endure, sustain, or withstand without yielding or submitting.
to abide a vigorous onslaught.
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to wait for; await.
to abide the coming of the Lord.
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to accept without opposition or question.
to abide the verdict of the judges.
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to pay the price or penalty of; suffer for.
verb phrase
verb
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(tr) to tolerate; put up with
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(tr) to accept or submit to; suffer
to abide the court's decision
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to comply (with)
to abide by the decision
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to remain faithful (to)
to abide by your promise
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(intr) to remain or continue
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archaic (intr) to dwell
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archaic (tr) to await in expectation
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archaic (tr) to withstand or sustain; endure
to abide the onslaught
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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abidesimple
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abidessimple
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have abidedperfect
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have abodeperfect
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has abidedperfect
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has abodeperfect
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am abidingprogressive
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are abidingprogressive
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is abidingprogressive
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have been abidingperfect progressive
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has been abidingperfect progressive
Past
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abidedsimple
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abodesimple
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had abidedperfect
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had abodeperfect
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was abidingprogressive
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were abidingprogressive
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had been abidingperfect progressive
Future
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?
Vocabulary lists containing abide
"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, Chapters 7–11
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"The Crucible" -- Vocabulary from all 4 Acts
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Antigone
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Upon your mother-in-law’s death, the trust generally becomes irrevocable, and you must abide by its terms.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 19, 2026
He called on the supporters of Khan, who remains a dominant political personality, to abide by the party's agreement with the court that there "must not be any crowding or commotion".
From Barron's ● Aug. 18, 2026
Non-banks filled the gap, though they don’t have to abide rigorous capital, liquidity and stress tests like banks.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026
Food critic Giles Coren previously came out in support of the restaurant, claiming Michelin-starred restaurants should not have to abide by normal health and safety rules and the guidelines should "probably be modernised".
From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2026
Okay, to be honest, I can abide by the limitation of obviousness, but the “feels” part was a done deal as far as the Wild Boy of Bainbridge Island was concerned.
From "Winger" by Andrew Smith
A federal monitor will be installed to ensure Live Nation abides by these terms over the next eight years.
From Slate ● Mar. 10, 2026
A Trump Organization spokesperson said the company “takes its ethical obligations extremely seriously and is deeply committed to preventing conflicts of interest,” and abides by all applicable laws.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 1, 2026
If you don't understand Spanish then it is perhaps better you search online for the literal translation of the motto which Alcaraz abides by.
From BBC ● Jan. 30, 2026
Burning Man abides by 10 principles, one being decommodification.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 23, 2025
“We have read the scroll, and it is indeed an invitation. It seems that the Fairy Queen, at least, still abides by the laws of our treaty.”
From "Huntress" by Malinda Lo
"For years, Europeans aided and abided flagrant ethical flaws in the international football federation," said Bruen, head of the Global Situation Room strategic communications firm.
From Barron's ● Jul. 6, 2026
In an interview, he said abided by interscholastic rules, though he acknowledged some eyebrow-raising transfers on his watch.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 10, 2026
The company added that it abided with the law in Los Angeles County and “every jurisdiction where we operate.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2025
I knew that MI5 had not abided by NCND.
From BBC ● Feb. 12, 2025
And abided by whatever the finger pointed to, for he knew every configuration of the naming of his sister.
From "Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison
The seven-sided abode features an interior court, private balconies, a catering-style kitchen with light gray cabinets and a dining nook, and a living room accompanied by glass walls and light-wood floors.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 11, 2026
On June 25, the West Hollywood abode was relisted for $2.095 million—$254,000 less than its previous ask of $2.349 million.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 29, 2026
While the property boasts far more outdoor space than their Beverly Hills abode, for those seeking a private, secluded retreat in California, the couple’s former Golden State dwelling could well be the perfect place.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 23, 2026
It was widely reported at the time that the Van Der Beeks owned the Beverly Hills abode, which is now worth around $4 million, according to estimates.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 23, 2026
He just stands there looking at me until, finally, he extends his hand as if reluctantly welcoming me to his humble abode.
From "Pride" by Ibi Zoboi
"We cannot allow anyone to come to our Union without abiding by our rules," she said on social media.
From BBC ● Aug. 1, 2026
In the abiding spirit of the Americans who believed in and built that promise, this year’s series on how to think about constitutional meaning is limited only by what you, the people, can imagine.
From Slate ● Jul. 20, 2026
Instead of abiding by existing trading hours for traditional derivatives exchanges, perpetual contracts trade 24 hours, seven days a week, with cash settlement occurring at regular intervals.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 5, 2026
“Today we celebrate the greatest story ever told, the foundation of our faith, and the abiding hope of all mankind,” read the opening sentence of the Easter email.
From Salon ● May 25, 2026
Even though I had nothing but love for Lily while Jackson and I went together, she had nothing but an abiding rage for me.
From "Dread Nation" by Justina Ireland
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
