obey — to do what someone tells you to do or what a rule, law, etc. says you must do
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to do what someone tells you to do or what a rule, law, etc. says you must do
Pronunciation (IPA): /oʊˈbeɪ/
Example Sentences
- My dog is so well-trained that it obeys even my whispers.
- The only traffic rule my dad obeys is 'honk louder when angry.'
- Students must obey school regulations during exams.
obey
VERB[/oʊˈbeɪ/]
to do what someone tells you to do or what a rule, law, etc. says you must do
He didn't agree — but he obeyed, and that made all the difference.
BEY goes the sheep, and the whole flock obeys. (OH + BEY → A sheep goes OH-BEY (baa) — and follows without question)
Obey long enough — and refusing starts to feel like betray, until everything begins to decay.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Old French 'obéir', which comes from Latin 'obedire', composed of 'ob-' (toward) and 'audire' (to hear, listen). The sense evolved from 'listening to' to 'following commands'.
Breakdown
ob- (toward) + audire (to hear/listen) = obey (to listen to and follow commands)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My dog is so well-trained that it obeys even my whispers.”
“The only traffic rule my dad obeys is 'honk louder when angry.'”
“Students must obey school regulations during exams.”
“Even my smartphone doesn't obey me - it has a mind of its own!”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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