Words / B2

k-uh-m-PLEYE/kəmˈplaɪ/

To comply is to obey a rule or request: comply with the safety rules. Follow and obey are everyday; abide by is a close formal cousin. Compliance is the noun (compliance with the policy). The pattern is comply with, never comply to. In speech, follow the rules is enough. The word is official — health and safety, contracts. It does not mean agree in your heart; you can comply and still disagree.

Meaning

To obey a rule or request (comply with).

Examples

• “All staff must comply with the safety rules.”
• “All staff must comply with the fire drill, including visitors.”
• “They complied with the request for documents, then appealed the decision.”

Good to know

comply with + rule/request. Official. Everyday: follow / obey. Noun: compliance. Not “comply to”. Not the same as agreeing.

Near in meaning

obey

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