adar ii
C1Formal
Definition
Meaning
to stick firmly to a surface or substance
to continue to obey or support a rule, plan, belief, or person, or to follow a particular set of ideas or principles
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Can denote physical attachment or metaphorical/ideological commitment. The metaphorical sense is dominant in formal contexts (e.g., legal, policy). The preposition 'to' is mandatory.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are standard.
Connotations
Consistently formal or technical in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British legal and administrative texts, but the difference is marginal.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
VERB + to + NOUN (rule/plan/principle/surface)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Adhere to the letter of the law”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used for compliance with regulations, standards, or company policies.
Academic
Common in social sciences and law to describe following theories, methodologies, or ethical guidelines.
Everyday
Rare in casual speech. Used for physical sticking (e.g., 'The label won't adhere to the wet surface').
Technical
Used in materials science, medicine (e.g., cells/tissues adhering), and manufacturing.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- All members must adhere to the club's code of conduct.
- The wet plaster will adhere to the brickwork.
American English
- The contract requires both parties to adhere to the timeline.
- Make sure the decal adheres properly to the window.
adverb
British English
- The policy was adhered to rigorously.
- The label adhered poorly.
American English
- The team adhered strictly to the protocol.
- The paint adhered perfectly.
adjective
British English
- An adhesive bandage.
- Highly adherent surfaces.
American English
- Adhesive tape.
- The coating was not adherent.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Please adhere the stamp to the envelope.
- It's important to adhere to the doctor's advice.
- The new paint should adhere to the metal without primer.
- The study failed to adhere to established ethical guidelines, undermining its validity.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of ADHESIVE tape – ADHERE is the verb for what the tape does.
Conceptual Metaphor
LOYALTY/AGREEMENT IS PHYSICAL ATTACHMENT (e.g., 'adhere to a belief').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'придерживаться' in all contexts. Use 'stick to' or 'follow' for everyday plans/schedules. 'Adhere' is for formal rules/principles. For physical sticking, 'прилипать' is accurate.
Common Mistakes
- Using without 'to' (e.g., 'We must adhere the rules').
- Using in overly casual contexts where 'follow' or 'stick to' is better.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'adhere' used correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is primarily used in formal, academic, legal, or technical contexts. In everyday speech, 'stick to' or 'follow' is more common.
The preposition 'to' is always required when 'adhere' means to follow or obey (e.g., adhere to rules). For the physical sticking sense, 'to' is also used (e.g., adhere to a surface).
The main noun forms are 'adherence' (the action of adhering) and 'adhesion' (the physical act of sticking).
No, it is an intransitive verb and requires a prepositional phrase with 'to' to complete its meaning (e.g., The glue adheres well to wood).