verb (used without object)
- to act in accordance or harmony; comply (usually followed 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.
- to comply with the usages of an established church, especially the Church of England.
verb (used with object)
- to make similar in form, nature, or character.
- to bring into agreement, correspondence, or harmony.
adjective
- Archaic. conformable.
verb
- (intr usually foll by to) to comply in actions, behaviour, etc, with accepted standards or norms
- (intr usually foll by with) to be in accordance; fit inhe conforms with my idea of a teacher
- to make or become similar in character or form
- (intr) to comply with the practices of an established church, esp the Church of England
- (tr) to bring (oneself, ideas, etc) into harmony or agreement
mid-14c., confourmen, from Old French conformer “conform (to), agree (to), make or be similar, be agreeable” (13c.), from Latin conformare “to fashion, to form, to shape; educate; modify,” from com- “together” (see com-) + formare “to form” (see form (v.)).
Sense of “to comply with the usages of the Church of England” is from 1610s; hence conformist (1630s), opposed to non-conformist or dissenter. Related: Conformance; conformed; conforming.