abide
C1/C2 (Upper-intermediate to Advanced)Formal and literary. The sense of 'tolerate' is common in negative contexts. 'Abide by' is standard in formal, legal, and administrative registers.
Definition
Meaning
To accept or bear something (often negative) patiently; to continue in a state or condition.
To act in accordance with a rule, decision, or promise; to remain faithful to. In archaic use, it can mean to live or dwell in a place.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word has two primary modern uses: 1) 'Abide by' (follow a rule) is common, active, and transitive. 2) 'Cannot abide' (tolerate) is often used in negative constructions and is highly idiomatic. The archaic sense of 'dwell' survives in hymns and literary contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The verb 'abide' is used similarly in both varieties. 'Cannot abide' is perhaps slightly more characteristic of British English in everyday speech. The adjective 'abiding' (as in 'abiding interest') is equally common in both.
Connotations
In both, 'abide' carries a formal, sometimes old-fashioned, or resolute tone. 'Abide by' is neutral-formal. 'Cannot abide' implies strong personal aversion.
Frequency
Overall low frequency, but the phrase 'abide by' is the most common collocation and is standard in formal contexts internationally.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
transitive (negated): can't abide noiseintransitive + preposition: abide by the rulesintransitive (archaic): abide hereVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “abide by the rules”
- “cannot abide someone/something”
- “an abiding interest/memory”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in contracts and policies: 'All parties must abide by the terms of this agreement.'
Academic
Used in discussing ethics or methodology: 'The study abided by strict ethical guidelines.'
Everyday
Most common in the negative: 'I can't abide that loud music next door.'
Technical
Legal and regulatory contexts: 'The company failed to abide by environmental regulations.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- You must abide by the referee's decision.
- I can't abide people who are rude to waiters.
- He abided in the cottage for many years.
American English
- All participants are required to abide by the code of conduct.
- She can't abide the humidity in the summer.
- The memory of his kindness abides.
adjective
British English
- He has an abiding love for the Welsh countryside.
- The experience left an abiding impression on her.
American English
- Her abiding passion is for social justice.
- They shared an abiding friendship.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We must all abide by the school rules.
- I can't abide people who are always late.
- The company pledged to abide by the new environmental standards.
- She couldn't abide his condescending attitude any longer.
- Failure to abide by the arbitration ruling could result in sanctions.
- An abiding sense of injustice motivated her political career.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'A BIDE' as in 'A boat must BIDE by the rules of the sea.' It stays (bides) and follows them.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTINUING IS REMAINING; ACCEPTANCE IS HOLDING/SUPPORTING (a burden).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводить 'abide' как 'обидеть' (to offend). Это ложный друг. 'Abide by' ближе к 'придерживаться', 'соблюдать'. 'Cannot abide' = 'не выносить', 'терпеть не могу'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'abide' without 'by' for the 'follow' meaning (INCORRECT: *'We must abide the rules.'). Confusing 'abide' with 'bid' (to offer). Overusing the non-negated 'abide' for 'tolerate' (sounds archaic).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'abide' used CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is relatively low-frequency and considered formal. The most common uses are the phrase 'abide by' and the negative 'cannot abide'.
'Abide' (in the 'tolerate' sense) is often used for strong personal dislikes. 'Tolerate' is more neutral and general. 'Endure' implies suffering through something difficult over time.
Yes, but with a different meaning. 'Abide' alone usually means 'tolerate' and is almost always used with 'cannot' or 'could not'. 'Abide' meaning 'stay' is now archaic. For the 'follow/accept' meaning, you must use 'abide by'.
It means lasting and permanent. For example, 'an abiding friendship' is one that endures over a very long time.