Obey

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -eɪ

Origin

From Anglo-Norman obeir, obeier et al., Old French obeir, from Latin oboedire (also obēdīre ("to listen to, harken, usually in extended sense, obey, be subject to, serve")), from ob- ("before, near") + audīre ("to hear"). Compare audient.

Full definition of obey

Verb

1. (transitive) To do as ordered by (a person, institution etc), to act according to the bidding of.
2. (intransitive) To do as one is told.
3. (obsolete, intransitive) To be obedient, compliant (to a given law, restriction etc.).
• 1590, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene, III.iv:They were all taught by Triton, to obay
  To the long raynes, at her commaundement ....

Antonyms

• disobey
• defy
• rebel
• resist
• violate (especially rules)

Related terms

• obedience
• obedient