conform

play

verb con·form \kən-ˈfȯrm\

Definition of conform

transitive verb
: to give the same shape, outline, or contour to : bring into harmony or accord conform furrows to the slope of the land
intransitive verb
1 : to be similar or identical; also : to be in agreement or harmony —used with to or with changes that conform with our plans
2a : to be obedient or compliant —usually used with to conform to another's wishes The building doesn't conform to local regulations.b : to act in accordance with prevailing standards or customs the pressure to conform

conformer

noun

conformism

play \kən-ˈfȯr-ˌmi-zəm\ noun

conformist

play \kən-ˈfȯr-mist\ noun or adjective

See conform defined for English-language learners

See conform defined for kids

Examples of conform in a Sentence

Most teenagers feel pressure to conform.
the list conforms with the contents of the trunk

Recent Examples of conform from the Web

Under city zoning regulations, any property out of compliance with a zoning law that reopens within six months of closing is allowed to continue operating despite the property not conforming to the law.

— kevin litten, NOLA.com, "Bourbon Street could get new strip club as City Council weighs moratorium", 2 June 2017
This is a man who scripts everything, typically months in advance, and expects others around him to do the same — and then to make circumstances yield and conform to his script instead of vice versa.

— vahe gregorian, kansascity, "Vahe Gregorian: For once, control eludes Bill Snyder", 2 June 2017
Think about what the enforcement of bathroom issues is going to look like, and how that’s going to contribute to the criminalization of trans and gender non-conforming people.

— maura ewing, The Atlantic, "'We, Too, Are Targets of Police Violence'", 1 June 2017
The judgment and stigma that single mothers face in many countries are taken to another level in Japan, a homogeneous society where those who do not conform often try to hide their situations — even from their friends and wider family.

— anna fifield, Washington Post, "In Japan, single mothers struggle with poverty and with shame", 28 May 2017
The topper was Sunday, when Younts and her grandfather, Terry Younts, stood watching at the NASCAR’s template tent, where cars must conform to size and shape before being approved for each race.

— rick bonnell, charlotteobserver, "Here’s what it took for Aussie couple to attend Charlotte race and why they did it", 28 May 2017
Trump administration officials contend that G7 bureaucrats have developed a vexing habit over the years of adopting lengthy communiques with voluminous annexes that don't conform with the president's vision.

— chicagotribune.com, "Trump adviser Stephen Miller blocked G7 migration proposal", 26 May 2017
According to the suit, the trucks conform to emissions standards when they are being driven at steady speeds and when outdoor temperatures range from 68 to 86 degrees — the conditions used for some of the emissions testing such trucks undergo.

— neal e. boudette, New York Times, "G.M. Accused in Lawsuit of Deceit on Diesel Truck Emissions", 25 May 2017
The Federal Reserve conformed to the betting line and left short-term interest rates unchanged.

— wired staff, WIRED, "Market Down", 30 Sep. 1997

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'conform'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

Conform, with its prefix con-, "with" or "together", means basically "to adopt the form of those around you". Thus, employee behavior must usually conform with basic company policies. A certain philosophy may be said to conform with American values (even if we sometimes have a hard time agreeing on exactly what those are). And a Maine Coon cat or a Dandie Dinmont terrier must conform to its breed requirements in order to be registered for breeding purposes. Being a conformist is usually a safe bet; being a nonconformist, who ignores society's standards and the whole idea of conformity, can be a bit dangerous but also sometimes more fun.

Origin and Etymology of conform

Middle English, from Anglo-French conformer, from Latin conformare, from com- + formare to form, from forma form

First Known Use: 14th century

Synonym Discussion of conform

adapt, adjust, accommodate, conform, reconcile mean to bring one thing into correspondence with another. adapt implies a modification according to changing circumstances. adapted themselves to the warmer climate adjust suggests bringing into a close and exact correspondence or harmony such as exists between parts of a mechanism. adjusted the budget to allow for inflation accommodate may suggest yielding or compromising to effect a correspondence. accommodated his political beliefs in order to win conform applies to bringing into accordance with a pattern, example, or principle. refused to conform to society's values reconcile implies the demonstration of the underlying compatibility of things that seem to be incompatible. tried to reconcile what he said with what I knew

CONFORM Defined for English Language Learners

conform

play

verb

Definition of conform for English Language Learners

: to be similar to or the same as something
: to obey or agree with something
: to do what other people do : to behave in a way that is accepted by most people

CONFORM Defined for Kids

conform

play

verb con·form \kən-ˈfȯrm\

Definition of conform for Students

conformed

;

conforming

1 : to make or be like : agree, accord The weather conforms to the recent pattern.
2 : comply Every student needs to conform to school rules.

Word Root of conform

The Latin word forma, meaning “form” or “shape,” gives us the root form. Words from the Latin forma have something to do with shape. The form of a person or thing is its shape. To conform is to fit in with others in form, shape, or manner. Something formal, such as dinner, follows a specific custom or form. The format of something, such as a book, is its general shape and arrangement.