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.
Etymology
Late Middle English: from Latin conformare ‘form together’, from con- ‘together’ + forma ‘form’.
Common Phrases and Expressions
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
Slang Meanings
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.