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Obey: meaning, definitions and examples

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obey

 

[ əˈbeɪ ]

Verb
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Verb

following orders

Comply with the command, direction, or request of (a person or a law); submit to the authority of.

Synonyms

adhere to, comply with, follow, heed

Examples of usage

  • He refused to obey his father's instructions.
  • She always obeys the rules of the road.
  • If you don't obey, you will face the consequences.

Translations

Translations of the word "obey" in other languages:

🇵🇹 obedecer

🇮🇳 आज्ञा का पालन करना

🇩🇪 gehorchen

🇮🇩 menaati

🇺🇦 слухатися

🇵🇱 słuchać

🇯🇵 従う

🇫🇷 obéir

🇪🇸 obedecer

🇹🇷 itaat etmek

🇰🇷 복종하다

🇸🇦 يطيع

🇨🇿 poslouchat

🇸🇰 poslúchať

🇨🇳 服从

🇸🇮 ubogati

🇮🇸 hlýða

🇰🇿 бағыну

🇬🇪 მორჩილება

🇦🇿 itaət etmək

🇲🇽 obedecer

Word origin

The word 'obey' originated from the Old French word 'obeir', which came from the Latin word 'obedire', meaning 'to listen, pay attention to'. The concept of obeying authority has been present in human societies for centuries, with the idea of following orders or commands for the greater good or to maintain order.

See also: disobey, disobeying, obedience, obedient, obediently.

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,560 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.