abide

[ uh-bahyd ]

verb (used without object)

, a·bode or a·bid·ed, a·bid·ing.

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)

, a·bode or a·bid·ed, a·bid·ing.

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 Words From

• 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

The cousins’ complementary natures may have bonded them in their youth, and a genuine and abiding love clearly remains.

From Los Angeles Times

TikTok told us that live content must abide by their community guidelines, which apply across the platform.

From BBC

“I’m sorry that Montgomery County has to be shown the law to abide by it,” Howard-Elley said.

From Salon

The crew held a retreat at a friend’s farm to start the creative process and came up with “Sorry Mom,” “Two Things” and “Baggage,” in which Ballerini admits, “I don’t abide by that 50-pound limit.”

From Los Angeles Times

She spent childhood summers with family in Bellingham, playing in the woods and developing an abiding love of nature.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• accept
• stand for
• tolerate