Abide
/əˈbaɪd/
verbB2
Definition
Abide means to obey or accept rules, laws, or decisions without trying to change them. It can also mean to stay or live somewhere for a period of time. People often use it when talking about following agreements or living peacefully with situations.
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See It in Action
To accept or follow a rule, law, decision, or agreement
- •You must abide by the school's rules to stay enrolled.
- •All players agreed to abide by the referee's decisions.
- •She abides by the contract even when it is difficult.
To stay or live in a place for some time (less common)
- •They abide in a small village by the sea.
- •He abides with his relatives during the holidays.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "abide" like "stay" or "follow," but with a sense of respect or patience for rules or situations.
- ✓Picture someone quietly staying in a room, patiently waiting or living there without leaving.
- ✓It's the feeling when you accept a decision even if you don't like it, because you know you must.
- ✓Sounds like "a-BIDE" → imagine someone "biding" (waiting) calmly and following the rules.
- ✓Think of a guest who abides by the house rules, quietly respecting what is asked.
- ✓NOT like "ignore" (not paying attention), "abide" means to pay attention and accept.
- ✓NOT like "resist" (fight against), "abide" means to accept or live with something.
- ✓NOT like "run" or "leave," "abide" means to stay or remain.
Try Other Words
- •Obey: to do what rules or commands say (Use when talking about strict following of laws or orders)
- •Accept: to agree or live with something (Use when focusing on agreeing with a situation or decision)
- •Stay: to remain in a place (Use when talking about living or remaining somewhere physically)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: No clear prefix or suffix; root word "bide" means to wait or remain
- •Etymology: From Old English "ābīdan," meaning "to wait for, remain, endure"
- •Historical development: Originally meant to wait patiently or remain in a place; later extended to mean to accept or endure rules or situations
- •Modern usage: Mostly used to mean accepting rules or decisions; less often to mean living somewhere
Reflect & Connect
•Can you think of a time when you had to abide by a rule you did not like? How did it feel?
•How is abiding by social rules important for living peacefully with others?
Fill in the blanks
1.You have to abide by the ___ of the game if you want to play fairly.
2.Even though he disagreed, he chose to abide ___ the decision.
3.When you abide by a rule, you show ___ for the people who made it.
4.They decided to abide ___ their grandparents during the summer vacation.
5.Abiding by the law means you do not try to ___ it.
6.If someone does not abide by the rules, they may face ___.
7.She abides by the company policies because she wants to keep her ___ safe.