# adhere

/ədˈhɪɹ/ (US) · /ɐdhˈiə/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/adhere
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to stick to a surface

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

to stick firmly to something.

For teachers: to stick fast to a surface or substance through physical attraction, suction, or glue. Intransitive; almost always used with the preposition 'to'.

- The bandage will not adhere to your skin if it is wet.
- The specialized industrial coating is designed to adhere to metallic surfaces even under extreme thermal stress.

Usage: Usually takes the preposition 'to'.

### 2. to follow rules or beliefs

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal · Academic

to continue to obey a rule or maintain a belief.

For teachers: to behave according to a particular rule, belief, or agreement. Intransitive; requires 'to' before the object.

- All staff members must adhere to the company's safety policy.
- The research team failed to strictly adhere to the established ethical guidelines, leading to the eventual dismissal of their findings.

Usage: Always used with the preposition 'to' followed by a noun phrase.

Teaching tip: This is a high-frequency word in academic and legal contexts; students should use it instead of 'follow' to sound more professional.

## Examples

- The tape will not adhere to a wet surface.
- All staff members must adhere to the new safety protocols to prevent accidents in the laboratory.
- While the physical glue failed to adhere under extreme heat, the team continued to adhere to their original research plan despite the setback.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.