- (intransitive) usually followed by to:
to comply in actions, behaviour, etc, with accepted standards or norms - (intransitive) usually followed by with:
to be in accordance; fit in: he conforms with my idea of a teacher to make or become similar in character or form - (intransitive)
to comply with the practices of an established church, esp the Church of England - (transitive)
to bring (oneself, ideas, etc) into harmony or agreement
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
con•form /kənˈfɔrm/USA pronunciation
v.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- [~ + to + object] to act in accordance or agreement;
comply: to conform to rules. - to act in accordance with the standards, etc., expected by a group:[no object]You'll have to conform if you don't want to feel isolated from others.
- to bring (something) into agreement or correspondence:[~ + object]The architect conformed the plans for the mall to the new specifications.
con•form
(kən fôrm′),USA pronunciation v.i.
v.t.
adj.
con•form′er, n.
con•form′ing•ly, adv.
- to act in accordance or harmony;
comply (usually fol. by to):to conform to rules. - to act in accord with the prevailing standards, attitudes, practices, etc., of society or a group:One has to conform in order to succeed in this company.
- to be or become similar in form, nature, or character.
- to be in harmony or accord.
- Religionto comply with the usages of an established church, esp. the Church of England.
v.t.
- to make similar in form, nature, or character.
- to bring into agreement, correspondence, or harmony.
adj.
- [Archaic.]conformable.
- Latin confōrmāre to shape. See con-, form
- Anglo-French, Middle French conformer
- Middle English confo(u)rmen 1275–1325
con•form′ing•ly, adv.
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged yield, agree, consent.
- 3.See corresponding entry in Unabridged correspond, agree, tally.
- 7.See corresponding entry in Unabridged adapt, adjust, accommodate.
- 1, 5.See corresponding entry in Unabridged dissent.
- 3.See corresponding entry in Unabridged differ.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
'not conform' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):