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)

Derived Forms

• oˈbeyer, noun

Other Word Forms

• o·beya·ble adjective
• o·beyer noun
• o·beying·ly adverb
• uno·beyed adjective
• uno·beying adjective
• well-o·beyed 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

Once the fighting stops, the thinking goes, both soldiers and civilians will remember whether those on the other side obeyed international law, or whether they committed atrocities.

From BBC

"To see these guys not obey orders - and do what they needed to save their platoon was interesting to me," he says, talking about the soldiers' evacuation process.

From BBC

Subjects meant to obey and praise their leader but never to challenge them.

From Salon

Popes wield such power that they can speak ex cathedra — literally, from the papal throne — to make infallible pronouncements on morality that the faithful must obey.

From Los Angeles Times

Students demonstrated at multiple universities in Istanbul, chanting "We are not scared, we won't be silenced, we will not obey" - a common opposition slogan in Turkey.

From BBC

Related Words

• accept
• adhere to
• carry out
• comply
• embrace
• execute
• heed
• live by
• observe
• surrender