conform
to comply with rules or standardsStudents must conform to the school's dress code.
Students must follow the school's rules about clothing.
to behave in accordance with rules, standards, or expectations
The company expects all employees to conform to its ethical guidelines.
The company requires employees to follow its ethical rules.
She decided not to conform to societal expectations and pursued her own path.
She chose not to follow traditional societal norms and did what she wanted.
Often used in contexts where compliance is expected or required.
to match or be consistent with something
The new design conforms to the company's branding standards.
The new design matches the company's branding rules.
The data conforms to the expected pattern.
The data fits the expected pattern.
Used in formal or technical contexts to describe alignment or consistency.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common Usage
The phrase 'conform to' is more common than 'conform with'.
Gold Rule
Formal vs. Informal
In formal contexts, 'conform' is often used to describe compliance with rules or standards.
Word Origin
From Latin 'conformare', meaning 'to form together' or 'to shape together'.
Usage Notes
Can be used both positively (following rules) and negatively (stifling individuality).