conform

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

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

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

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

Most teenagers feel pressure to conform.

the list conforms with the contents of the trunk

Recent Examples on the Web

Legislation to address Illinois’ Tier II pension benefits to conform with Social Security limits has been discussed for months. —Greg Bishop | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Nov. 2024

Even disagreement, properly structured and received, can give rise to unconventional options too easily overlooked when all conform to the dominant view. —Jonathan H. Westover, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

In the pressure of the deep sea, the curvy molecule conforms to the exact shape needed to support a sturdy yet dynamic cell membrane. —Yasemin Saplakoglu, WIRED, 20 Oct. 2024

The knit fabric is soft and flexible, conforming nicely to the shape of my feet. —Wendy Vazquez, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

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