verb · A2

Obey

uh-BAY/əˈbeɪ/

Obey means do what a rule, sign, or person tells you: obey the law, obey the teacher, obey a sign. Follow is a close cousin for instructions (follow the instructions). Listen to is about hearing, not always doing. Disobey is the opposite. Do not write obey when you mean okay, or a bay (the sea).

Meaning

To do what a person, a sign, or a rule tells you to do.

Examples

“Cyclists must obey the traffic lights.”
“You must obey the no-smoking sign on the platform.”
“The dog will sit if you teach it to obey.”

Good to know

obey the law / a sign. Cousin: follow (instructions). Opposite: disobey. Mix-up: okay.

Near in meaning

New