# obey

/oʊˈbeɪ/ (US) · /əʊbˈeɪ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. to follow an order

verb · CEFR B1

to do what a person or an organization tells you to do.

For teachers: to carry out the instructions or commands of a person or institution. Transitive when specifying the authority being followed.

- The dog is very well-trained and will obey its owner immediately.
- Citizens are expected to obey the local authorities even when they disagree with specific administrative policies.

### 2. to follow a rule or law

verb · CEFR B1

to follow a rule, a law, or a set of instructions.

For teachers: to act in accordance with a law, principle, or physical force.

- Drivers must obey the speed limit to keep the roads safe.
- Even the most complex machines must obey the fundamental laws of physics to function efficiently.

### 3. to be obedient

verb · CEFR B2

to do what you are told without naming the person or rule.

For teachers: to behave in an obedient manner. Intransitive use where the authority is implied by context.

- The children were taught from a young age that they must obey.
- In a strict military environment, the primary requirement for a new recruit is the willingness to obey without question.

## Examples

- You must obey the speed limit.
- The soldiers were trained to obey their commanding officer without hesitation during high-pressure missions.
- While the citizens generally obey the local ordinances, the new tax law has sparked a wave of civil disobedience that challenges the government's moral authority.

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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.