conform

verb con·form \ kən-ˈfȯrm \

|Updated on: 15 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

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

Yet if harbingers of gentrification are trendy restaurants and coffee shops, then Divisadero is in the throes of conforming to a new populace with disposable income.

— justin phillips, San Francisco Chronicle, "Divisadero has become SF’s most prolific new restaurant neighborhood," 8 June 2018
The company told Fontanka that the bottle conforms to safety specifications and includes a warning to store in a dark area.

— dan gartland, SI.com, "Watch: Russian Company’s Novelty World Cup Water Bottle Sets Things on Fire," 31 May 2018
And accordingly, users demand that their applications conform to the overall look and feel of the platform.

— peter bright, Ars Technica, "From Win32 to Cocoa: A Windows user’s would-be conversion to Mac OS, part II," 27 May 2018
Officials are determining how to apply unspent funds from the bond issue to other capital projects while still conforming to the deal’s legal requirements, Chrystie said.

— jacob adelman, Philly.com, "No parking: City tells developers eyeing jilted police HQ site in West Philly to leave lots alone," 16 May 2018
McCrory also signed a law preventing transgender individuals from using the bathroom that conforms to their gender identity.

— jelani cobb, The New Yorker, "William Barber Takes on Poverty and Race in the Age of Trump," 7 May 2018
Rather, the dispositive point is that the local government conforms to the requirement that only law enforcement officers and traffic infraction enforcement officers — rather than employees of a vendor — may issue traffic citations.

— wire reports, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Red-light cameras can stay, Florida Supreme Court rules," 3 May 2018
Frequently, the biggest obstacle is the pressure to conform to white or eurocentric behaviors, ideals, and values.

— adrienne keene, Teen Vogue, "Colorado State University Tour Incident Is Nothing New for Native Students," 7 May 2018
This should include the freedom to shrug off any pressure to conform to a busy standard.

— david ekerdt, WSJ, "In Defense of the Not-So-Busy Retirement," 22 Apr. 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.