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Word

comply

verb C1
/kəmˈplaɪ/

Meanings

verb

to act according to a rule, order, or request; to do what is required

comply: to act according to a rule, order, or request; to do what is required
verb

to meet a standard or requirement (often about procedures, safety, or regulations)

comply: to meet a standard or requirement (often about procedures, safety, or regulations)

Definition

To comply means to do what is asked or required, especially by a rule or authority.

To comply is to follow an instruction, rule, or request. It often implies that an authority, policy, or formal procedure is involved. People or organizations comply when they meet required standards or cooperate with demands.

Examples

  • I chose to comply with the supervisor’s instructions, even though the change disrupted my schedule.
  • You must comply with the venue’s security checks before you enter the auditorium.
  • He refused to comply with the editor’s request to remove the unverified claim from the article.
  • They worked with auditors to comply with the updated data-protection requirements across the company.

Common mistake

Learners often forget the preposition and say "comply the rules" instead of "comply with the rules."