abide

[ uh-bahyd ]

verb (used without object)

abode or 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

verb (used with object)

abode or 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. 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

/ əˈbaɪd /

verb

1. tr to tolerate; put up with
2. tr to accept or submit to; suffer

   to abide the court's decision

3. intrfoll byby
   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

Derived Forms

• aˈbidance, noun
• aˈbider, noun

Other Word Forms

• a·bider noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of abide¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of abide¹

Old English ābīdan, from a- (intensive) + bīdan to wait, bide

Idioms and Phrases

• can't stand (abide)

Example Sentences

On-site signage states that by entering the land, users agree to abide by the terms and conditions, which require vehicles to have a parking permit registered with UKPS.

From BBC

To be sure, an assassin’s bullets robbed Lennon and McCartney of any hope for establishing a new and abiding friendship in middle age.

From Salon

She added that under the company’s terms of service, Flock customers who give their cameras to police have to abide by Senate Bill 34 and other laws governing the sharing of license plate data.

From Los Angeles Times

Student visas give individuals permission to enter the U.S. while “student status” confirms that a person is enrolled in classes and abiding by other restrictions, such as limitations on employment.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump and his appointees have repeatedly threatened state and local officials with federal funding cuts if they don’t abide by his executive orders and by his administration’s legal interpretations.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• accept
• stand for
• tolerate