English Reference
Adjective

conforming

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /kənˈfɔɹmɪŋ/ UK /kənfˈɔːmɪŋ/ con·form·ing

adj.behaving in a way that matches the rules or expectations of a group. You use this to describe someone who follows the crowd instead of being different.

adj.behaving in accordance with prevailing social standards, attitudes, or practices. Often used to describe individuals who adhere to established norms rather than expressing individuality.


SIMPLE

He is a very conforming person who never breaks the rules.

CONTEXTUAL

In a highly conforming corporate culture, employees may feel pressured to dress and speak exactly like their managers.

COMPLEX

The pressure of living in a small, conforming town can be stifling for creative individuals who wish to challenge traditional social structures or aesthetic conventions.

Usage

Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'become' or 'remain', or attributively before a noun like 'behavior' or 'personality'.

Republican-led companies tended to perform better when their strategies were more conforming, while Democratic-led companies tended to perform better when their strategies were less conforming.

Phys.org· 10 Sept 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated