# obedient

/oʊˈbidiənt/ (US) · /əʊbˈiːdiənt/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/obedient
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

willing to do what you are told and follow the rules. People use this to describe children or pets who listen well to their parents or owners.

For teachers: complying with or willing to submit to orders or requests; submissive to another's authority. Often used to describe children, animals, or subordinates in a hierarchical structure.

## Examples

- The obedient dog sat down as soon as its owner spoke.
- The students remained quiet and obedient throughout the principal's long speech about school safety.
- While some praised the soldiers for being perfectly obedient to their commanders, others questioned whether they should have challenged the unethical orders.

## Usage notes

- Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'remain' or 'stay', or attributively before a noun.

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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.