Conform

/kənˈfɔrm/

Meaning & Definition

verb

To comply with rules, standards, or laws.

All employees are required to conform to the company's dress code.

To be in harmony or agreement with something.

The new design will conform to the historical architecture of the neighborhood.

To behave according to socially acceptable conventions or standards.

She felt pressured to conform to her friends' lifestyle choices.

To shape oneself to another's standards or expectations.

He struggled to conform to the expectations placed on him by his family.

Late Middle English: from Latin conformare ‘form together’, from con- ‘together’ + forma ‘form’.

conform to

to follow or comply with

conformist

a person who conforms to accepted behavior or established practices

conformity

the action of conforming to social norms or standards

nonconformist

a person who does not conform to prevailing rules or practices

out of conformity

not adhering to usual standards or norms

conformance

the act of conforming or the state of being in harmony with

conformity

compliance with standards or laws

nonconformity

failure or refusal to conform to a prevailing rule or practice

Go with the flow

Just conform and go with the flow at the party.

Play it safe

Sometimes you have to conform to play it safe at work.

Fit in

He's just trying to conform so he can fit in with the crowd.