Compliant
/kəmˈplaɪənt/
adjectiveB2
Definition
Compliant describes a person, group, or thing that behaves in a way that follows rules, orders, or requests. It means being ready to agree or obey without arguing or resisting. This word is often used in formal or official situations, like following laws, safety rules, or instructions.
Was this helpful?
See It in Action
Ready to follow rules or requests
- •The company is compliant with safety regulations.
- •She was compliant during the medical examination.
- •To pass the test, your work must be compliant with all guidelines.
Easy to control or influence
- •The compliant child did what his parents asked without complaint.
- •The machine is compliant with different software systems.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "compliant" like "agree" (A1 word), but it means not just saying yes, but also doing what is asked or required.
- ✓Picture a student in class who listens carefully and does exactly what the teacher says.
- ✓It’s the feeling when you want to keep peace by following the rules instead of causing trouble.
- ✓Sounds like "come-PLY-ant" → Imagine someone "coming to apply" rules carefully, like applying paint smoothly without mistakes.
- ✓Think of a robot that follows commands exactly without question — very compliant.
- ✓NOT like "stubborn" (refusing to change), compliant means ready to change or accept.
- ✓NOT like "resistant" (fighting back), compliant means cooperating.
- ✓NOT like "independent" (doing own way), compliant means following others’ instructions.
Try Other Words
- •Obedient: ready to follow orders (Use when talking about people or animals who listen well)
- •Agreeable: willing to agree or accept (Use when someone is easy to please or cooperate with)
- •Cooperative: working well with others (Use when emphasizing teamwork or help)
- •Submissive: giving in to others’ control (Use when someone accepts control without resistance, often with a negative feeling)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: com- (together, with) + pli (bend, fold) + -ant (adjective suffix meaning "having the quality of")
- •Etymology: From Latin "compliāns," meaning "bending or yielding together"
- •Historical development: Originally meant physically bending or folding; later used for yielding or agreeing to requests or rules
- •Modern usage: Describes people, organizations, or things that follow rules, laws, or instructions willingly or without resistance
Reflect & Connect
•Can being too compliant ever cause problems? When might it be better to say no?
•How does being compliant help in a group or workplace? How can it limit creativity or independence?
Fill in the blanks
1.The factory was compliant ___ all the new safety rules to avoid fines.
2.When the teacher asked a question, the compliant student answered ___ without hesitation.
3.Unlike rebellious students, compliant ones usually ___ the instructions carefully.
4.To be compliant with the law, companies must ___ their products to safety standards.
5.The machine is compliant ___ several different computer programs, making it very useful.
6.She was compliant during the meeting, but later she expressed her ___ privately.
7.Being compliant means you accept ___ without strong disagreement or resistance.