What does conformably mean?
"Conformably" is a formal adverb meaning in a manner that accords with something — a rule, instruction, standard, or established practice. It appears chiefly in legal, administrative, and academic prose: documents may be drawn up "conformably with regulations," or conduct described as carried out "conformably to custom." A second, specialised sense belongs to geology, where strata are said to lie conformably when deposited in an unbroken sequence, each layer following the last without a gap in time — the opposite of an unconformable contact, which records erosion or interruption. The word derives from Latin conformare, "to shape together," via English "conform," making its core idea literally that of being shaped to match a pattern. Though precise and useful in formal registers, it is rare in ordinary conversation, where simpler phrasings such as "in line with" usually serve instead. Its precision, however, makes it valued where exact compliance must be stated.
In a manner that accords or agrees with a rule, standard, instruction, or expectation.
"The report was drafted conformably with the guidelines set out in the charter."
Typically followed by 'with' or 'to'; largely confined to formal writing.
(Geology) Of strata, deposited in unbroken sequence so that successive layers record continuous deposition without interruption.
"The sandstones rest conformably on the underlying mudstones."
Used almost exclusively in stratigraphy, contrasting with 'unconformably'.
In geology, when rock layers lie conformably on one another, it's evidence that millions of years passed without a single break in the record.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of conformably
"Conformably" derives from the Latin verb conformare, meaning "to shape or fashion together" (com-, "together" + formare, "to form"), which entered English through Old French as "conform." From this root came the adjective "conformable" and, by regular adverbial derivation, "conformably," attested in English usage by around the early 17th century. It shares its origin with cognates and relatives including "conformity," "conformation," "conformist," and, more distantly, all words built on Latin forma, such as "uniform."
Related word forms
How conformably is actually used
A formal word, most at home in legal, official, and technical writing. In everyday speech, phrases like 'in accordance with' or 'as required by' are more natural. The geological sense is restricted to stratigraphy, where 'conformably' contrasts with 'unconformably'.
Easily confused with conformably
'Comfortably' means in a state of physical ease or without difficulty, whereas 'conformably' means in accordance or agreement with something.