Obey
To comply with commands, laws, or rules issued by someone in authority; to act in accordance with instruction.
verbObey
To comply with commands, laws, or rules issued by someone in authority; to act in accordance with instruction.
verbImagine This
Imagine a student standing at attention as a teacher gives a directive. The student pauses, listens intently, and immediately follows the instruction without hesitation.
Sounds Like
oh-BAY
Looks Like
Looks visually similar to 'obvious' in its initial 'ob-' cluster; also resembles 'oboe' in letter pattern (O-B-E-Y).
Remember This
Obey comes from Old French obeir, from Latin audire 'to hear'—the idea is 'hear and act on what you are told.'
Other Forms
Connect With
comply with, follow, conform to, adhere to, heed, observe
Note
Do not confuse with 'obvious' or with 'obey' used in a moral sense; 'disobey' is the opposite of obey. Obey implies yielding to authority or instruction.