conformity

noun

con·​for·​mi·​ty kən-ˈfȯr-mə-tē 

plural conformities

1

: correspondence in form, manner, or character : agreement

behaved in conformity with her beliefs

2

: an act or instance of conforming

her conformity with the latest fashions

3

: action in accordance with some specified standard or authority

conformity to social custom

conformity with the federal law and state insurance codes

Synonyms

• accordance
• harmony

Examples of conformity in a Sentence

The corporate culture demands a certain conformity of appearance.

the simple lifestyle of the Amish is in conformity with their ascetic religious beliefs

Recent Examples on the Web

While federal funders have a legitimate interest in setting ethical and legal boundaries, the principle at stake is that participation in public research should be judged by quality and contribution, not political conformity. —John Drake, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025

To aid him in the performance of these duties, he is authorized to appoint certain officers, who act by his authority and in conformity with his orders. —Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 29 July 2025

Ichiro, Madonna, Elvis: think about how each of them is somehow, simultaneously, impossibly, an avatar of both absolute conformity and absolute rebellion. —Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 27 July 2025

The gray flannel suit conformity that had defined postwar business began fracturing as technology entrepreneurs moved to center stage. —Gabriel Snyder, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for conformity

• deformity
• enormity
• disconformity
• nonconformity
• unconformity
• uniformity
• nonuniformity

Kids Definition

conformity

noun

con·​for·​mi·​ty kən-ˈfȯr-mət-ē 

plural conformities

1

: agreement in form, manner, or character

behaved in conformity with their beliefs

2

: action in accordance with a standard or authority : obedience

conformity to social custom