obey
B1Neutral to formal
Definition
Meaning
To comply with or follow the commands, instructions, or wishes of someone or something, especially an authority.
To act in accordance with a rule, law, principle, or system; to follow the dictates of one's conscience or beliefs; to respond predictably to a force or command.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
'Obey' often carries a nuance of submission to hierarchical authority or an external rule-set. It is stronger and more absolute than synonyms like 'follow'. 'Comply' is often used in legal/administrative contexts, 'obey' in general authority contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Minor differences in collocation frequency (e.g., 'obey orders' slightly more common in military/legal contexts in the US).
Connotations
In both varieties, the word can have neutral, positive (obeying just laws), or negative (blind obedience) connotations depending on context.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in US English in legal and military contexts; comparable in everyday use.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Sb] obey [Sb/St][Sb] obey[St] obey [St] (e.g., the material obeys the laws of physics)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Obey to the letter (follow instructions exactly)”
- “Obey without question (blind obedience)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Employees must obey company policies and safety regulations.
Academic
The experiment failed because the particles did not obey the predicted model.
Everyday
The dog is trained to obey basic commands like 'sit' and 'stay'.
Technical
The software is designed to obey a strict protocol for data encryption.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Soldiers are duty-bound to obey lawful orders.
- The driver failed to obey the new traffic signals.
- Children should obey their parents.
American English
- Citizens are expected to obey all local ordinances.
- The software will obey the user's command.
- He chose to obey his conscience rather than the order.
adverb
British English
- He followed the instructions obediently ('in an obeying manner').
American English
- The dog sat obediently ('in a manner that obeys') waiting for its treat.
adjective
British English
- He was a loyal and obedient ('obeying') servant.
American English
- The robot is highly obedient ('prone to obeying') to its programming.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Good children obey their parents.
- You must obey the teacher in class.
- Dogs can learn to obey simple commands.
- It is important to obey the rules of the game.
- The officer commanded, and the troops obeyed immediately.
- The machine will not work if you do not obey the safety instructions.
- The court ruled that the company must obey the environmental regulations.
- She felt conflicted, having to obey an order that went against her ethics.
- A true democracy requires citizens to obey laws they may sometimes disagree with.
- The material's behaviour was found to obey Hooke's Law within certain limits.
- His rebellious nature made him instinctively resist any attempt to make him obey.
- The treaty obligates all signatory states to obey its provisions.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a dog trainer saying 'OBey!' (sounds like 'Oh Bay!') to their dog at the bay. The dog must follow the command.
Conceptual Metaphor
OBEDIENCE IS DOWN / SUBMISSION (e.g., 'bow to authority', 'under someone's command')
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not directly translate Russian 'слушаться' (to listen/heed) as 'listen to' in authority contexts; use 'obey'. Avoid using 'perform' as a translation for 'obey'. 'Повинуйтесь!' is best translated as 'Obey!' not 'Listen!'
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: *He didn't obeyed the rules. Correct: He didn't obey the rules.
- Incorrect: *You must obey to the law. Correct: You must obey the law.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST appropriate synonym for 'obey' in the sentence: 'Soldiers must obey orders without hesitation.'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Obey' can be used for inanimate objects following physical laws (e.g., 'The object obeys the law of gravity') or systems following rules.
'Obey' implies submission to authority or a binding rule. 'Follow' is broader and less forceful; you can follow advice, a person, or a path without an implication of hierarchical command.
Yes, but it's less common. For example, 'When the commander shouts, you obey!' Here, the object ('the command') is implied.
It is neutral but can sound formal in everyday contexts. In informal speech, people often use phrases like 'do what someone says', 'listen to', or 'follow the rules'.