conform

1 of 2

verb

con·​form kən-ˈfȯrm 

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

conformer noun

conformism

kən-ˈfȯr-ˌmi-zəm 

noun

conformism

2 of 2

noun

con·​form·​ism kən-ˈfȯr-ˌmi-zəm 

plural -s

: the act, practice, or principle of conforming

unimaginative timid conformism in key positions

—K. S. Davis

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.

Synonyms of conform

Verb

• correspond
• coincide
• fit

Choose the Right Synonym for 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.

businesses accommodating themselves to the new political reality

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

Examples of conform in a Sentence

Verb

Most teenagers feel pressure to conform.

the list conforms with the contents of the trunk

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Those who refuse to conform to the changing seasons can take solace in the constants, like a stellar late-week crossword from Rafael Musa. — Sean McGowan, New York Times, 25 Sep. 2026

Are my thoughts and actions consistently conforming to the wisdom and guidance in the Scriptures? — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 23 Sep. 2026

There is great variation in people’s talents, yet organizations often try to make people conform to one way of being. — Dr. Monika Sumra, Forbes.com, 22 Sep. 2026

The world, to his way of thinking, must conform to our concepts. — Literary Hub, 21 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Noun

probably from French conformisme, from conformiste person inclined to conventional thoughts and actions, English person that conforms to the established Church of England (after such pairs as French déiste deist: déisme deism), from English conformist English person that conforms to the established Church of England

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for conform

• brainstorm
• deform
• firestorm
• hailstorm
• inform
• landform
• lukewarm
• perform
• planform
• platform
• preform
• rainstorm

Kids Definition

conform

verb

con·​form kən-ˈfȯ(ə)rm 

1

: to bring into harmony

conform my behavior to the circumstances

2

: to be similar or identical

the data conforms to the pattern

3

: to act in obedience or agreement

especially : to adapt oneself to accepted standards or customs

conformer noun

conformist

-ˈfȯr-məst 

noun

Legal Definition

conform

intransitive verb

con·​form kən-ˈfȯrm 

: to be in accordance : correspond in character

specifically : to be in accordance with the provisions of a contract

conformance

kən-ˈfȯr-məns 

noun

conformity

kən-ˈfȯr-mə-tē 

noun