conform

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

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

Men who openly express self-doubt are often ostracised for failing to conform to societal expectations, and so many struggle in silence.

— shine, SELF, "Why It's Totally Normal to Feel Like an Imposter Sometimes," 29 Aug. 2017
To love and conform with American civilization is to find something attractive in a country whose greatness comes from the consequences of its existence, the principles of its constitution, and difficulty of its survival.

— j. j. mccullough, National Review, "I Love America (and the Alt-Right Doesn’t)," 28 Aug. 2017
For contrast, here's what Clinton's top 50 look like: As the color-coding shows, both candidates' supporters relied on media outlets that conformed to their politics, which shouldn't be a big surprise.

— aaron blake, Washington Post, "Trump backers’ alarming reliance on hoax and conspiracy theory websites, in 1 chart," 22 Aug. 2017
Stars were interviewed and photographed inside a tent to conform to dimout rules.

— richard sandomir, HWD, "The Pride of the Yankees," 18 Aug. 2017
Under New York State law, any building of six apartments or more built before 1974, or new buildings that have received certain types of property tax breaks, must charge rents that conform with the state’s rent stabilization laws.

— jesse drucker, New York Times, "Tenants Sue Kushner Companies Claiming Rent Rule Violations," 15 Aug. 2017
Instead of a hand or clasp, the gripper is a balloon filled with styrofoam pellets and coffee grounds that conforms to objects and holds them tight when air is suctioned out.

— matthew hutson, Science | AAAS, "Watch this robotic appendage give humans a third arm," 17 July 2017
Arya joins an organization—the Faceless Men at the House of Black and White—and tries to conform to its rules.

— kayleigh roberts, Marie Claire, "How Psychology Predicted Arya Stark's Giant Season 6 Twist—And What She'll Be Like in Season 7," 13 July 2017
At that level of leadership, officials normally try their hardest to conform.

— The Economist, "A Bolshevik in BeijingXi Jinping has chosen an unusual man to lead the capital city," 13 July 2017

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

See Words from the same year

conform Synonyms

Synonyms

accord, agree, answer, chord, cohere, coincide, comport, check, consist, correspond, dovetail, fit, go, harmonize, jibe, rhyme (also rime), sort, square, tally

Antonyms

differ (from), disagree (with)

Related Words

equal, match, parallel; align (also aline), line up, register

Near Antonyms

contradict, dispute, gainsay; negate, nullify; clash, conflict, jar

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.