conform

verb con·form \ kən-ˈfȯrm \

|Updated on: 10 Aug 2018

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Examples: conform in a Sentence

Editor's Note: Did You Know?

Definition of conform

conformed; conforming; conforms

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

2 a : 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

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conformer

noun

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conformism

play \kən-ˈfȯr-ˌmi-zəm\ noun

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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

The program serves gender non-conforming youth, gender questioning youth and transgender youth.

— lauren castle, azcentral, "Arizona groups offer health, housing help to LGBT youth," 14 July 2018
If the house is an older one, homeowners should expect an accurate estimate to reflect the cost of rebuilding the structure to conform to current codes.

— ron hurtibise, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Do you have enough homeowner insurance? Here's how to find out," 13 July 2018
Any new development that would succeed the church would be required to conform to commercial zoning standards.

— erin hegarty, Naperville Sun, "Naperville to consider annexing Route 59 church to make way for commerical development," 12 July 2018
No institution that purports to uphold free thinking should endorse an exam that forces applicants to conform with political orthodoxy.

— The Economist, "The world’s most important exam is flawed," 28 June 2018
House bills are typically made public, but sometimes just before midnight to conform with the three-day rule.

— lisa mascaro, BostonGlobe.com, "Much-ballyhooed Tea Party class of House GOP fades," 4 June 2018
So powerful is the draw of political tribalism that people are now increasingly able to turn their tastes on a dime in order to conform with what is politically correct.

— chris stirewalt, Fox News, "Roseanne Barr and the new political correctness," 29 May 2018
One involved the annual update of the state's tax code to conform with changes to the federal tax code.

— kaitlin lange, Indianapolis Star, "A special session for special interests?," 25 Mar. 2018
This is especially true in California, which has not conformed to any piece of the new federal tax law.

— kathleen pender, SFChronicle.com, "Is new 1040 tax form deceptively simple or just deceptive?," 29 June 2018

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense

See Words from the same year

conform Synonyms

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

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

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.