DictionaryAI

obey

verb
Sayoh-BAY/oʊˈbeɪ/UK/əʊˈbeɪ/

Formsobeys, obeying, obeyed

3 meanings of obey

Practice

  1. 1
    verbtransitive
    To do what a person, rule, or group tells you to do.

    Like following the rules of a game so you don't get into trouble.

    Soldiers must obey their commander without question.

    The dog learned to obey simple commands.

    Similarfollow, observe, heed

    Oppositedisobey, defy, flout

    Note
  2. 2
    verbintransitive
    To do what you are told to do.

    Like doing what your coach says during practice.

    When the teacher spoke, the children obeyed at once.

    Good soldiers obey without hesitation.

    Similarcomply

    Oppositedisobey, rebel

  3. 3
    verbobsoleteintransitive
    To follow a law or rule and stay within what it allows.
    Note

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Origin

From Latin oboedio, made from ob- ("before, near") plus audio ("to hear"). It came into English through Old French and Middle English.