adhere
C1Formal, Academic, Technical, Business
Definition
Meaning
To stick firmly to a surface, substance, or idea.
To believe in and follow the practices of a particular philosophy, religion, or set of rules; to remain committed to an agreement, plan, or opinion.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word implies a strong, often deliberate, attachment or commitment. It can be physical (glue adheres) or abstract (adhering to principles). It is less common in casual conversation than synonyms like 'stick' or 'follow'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The pronunciation differs slightly (see IPA).
Connotations
Slightly more formal in both varieties, but equally common in professional/academic contexts.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both dialects within formal registers.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[subject] adheres to [object]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Adhere like glue”
- “Adhere to the letter of the law”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
All employees must adhere to the company's code of conduct.
Academic
The study failed to adhere to established methodological protocols.
Everyday
Make sure the stamp adheres properly to the envelope.
Technical
The new coating must adhere to metal under extreme temperatures.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The label should adhere to the clean, dry surface.
- We adhere strictly to data protection regulations.
American English
- The decal wouldn't adhere to the textured wall.
- The school adheres to a traditional curriculum.
adverb
British English
- 'Adhesively' is rarely used. 'Firmly' or 'closely' are typical adverbs with 'adhere'.
American English
- 'Adhesively' is rarely used. 'Firmly' or 'closely' are typical adverbs with 'adhere'.
adjective
British English
- 'Adhesive' is the related adjective. 'Adherent' is a noun/adjective for a follower.
American English
- 'Adhesive' is the related adjective. 'Adherent' is a noun/adjective for a follower.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The tape will not adhere to a wet floor.
- Please adhere the poster to the wall.
- It's important to adhere to the doctor's advice.
- The wet paint caused the fabric to adhere to the table.
- The new government promised to adhere to international environmental agreements.
- For the experiment to be valid, we must adhere to the prescribed methodology.
- The artist's style adheres to the tenets of early modernism, yet subverts them in subtle ways.
- Despite political pressure, the institution adhered unwaveringly to its ethical standards.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of ADHESIVE tape. ADHERE starts the same way and means to stick.
Conceptual Metaphor
LOYALTY/COMMITMENT IS BEING GLUED (He adheres to his beliefs).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'придерживаться' in all its casual uses (e.g., 'придерживаться мнения' is better translated as 'hold an opinion'). 'Adhere' is stronger and more formal. For physical sticking, 'прилипать' is closer.
Common Mistakes
- Using without 'to' (Wrong: *We must adhere the rules. Correct: We must adhere *to* the rules).
- Using in overly casual contexts where 'stick to' or 'follow' would be more natural.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'adhere' used INCORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Adhere' is more formal and often implies a conscious choice or a requirement (adhere to rules). 'Stick' is more general and physical (glue sticks, stick to a plan).
No, it is an intransitive verb in its standard meanings. It always requires 'to' (adhere to something). In very old or technical chemistry texts, you might find it used transitively, but this is obsolete in modern English.
It is common in formal, academic, business, and technical writing (C1 level). It is less common in everyday casual speech, where 'stick to' or 'follow' are often used instead.
The main noun is 'adherence'. A person who adheres is an 'adherent'. The quality of being sticky is 'adhesiveness', and the substance is an 'adhesive'.