What does obey mean?
Obey means to act according to a command, rule, law, or recognized authority. It is commonly used with instructions (“obey the instructions”), official orders (“obey orders”), and legal requirements (“obey the law”). The word can also carry a moral dimension, as in obeying principles or duties, and in older or religious contexts it may imply faithful submission to divine command. Its standard opposite is disobey, although defy can suggest active resistance or open challenge. Obey is more formal than words such as follow or listen to and generally implies that the command or rule comes from someone with recognized authority. In everyday use, it can suggest compliance that may be reluctant, deliberate, or unquestioning, so context helps determine whether the word describes ordinary lawful conduct or obedience to a questionable instruction.
verbTo comply with a command, instruction, law, or other recognized authority. In a moral or social context, it can mean to act in accordance with accepted rules or principles.
- To comply with a command, instruction, law, or recognized authority.
"The officers refused to obey the unlawful order."
"All visitors must obey the posted safety rules."
"She refused to obey an order that clearly violated the law."
To obey is to let an authority guide your actions; to disobey is to challenge the rule itself.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does obey come from?
Obey comes through Old French from Latin oboedire, meaning “to obey” or “to be subject to.” The Latin word is traditionally analyzed as ob-, meaning “toward” or “against,” combined with audire, “to hear,” reflecting the idea of listening and submitting to what is heard. Related forms include obedience and obedient, while disobedient was formed by adding the negative prefix dis-.
Related word forms
How obey is actually used
Generally formal and authoritative in tone. It can describe following a person’s instruction, a legal requirement, a religious or moral principle, or an order from someone with power.