Conform

How to spell conform

7 letters · 2 syllables

How to pronounce conform

Say the part in capitals loudest.

What does conform mean?

1. verbTo comply with rules, standards, or expectations, or to make something fit an established pattern.

Conform in a sentence

• All new buildings must conform to the local safety code.

• Employees are expected to conform to the dress policy during meetings.

Where does conform come from?

Language of origin: Latin

This verb comes from the Latin conformare, which combined con-, meaning 'together' or 'with', and formare, meaning 'to shape' or 'to mould', built on forma, the Latin word for a shape or pattern. The literal idea was to shape something so that it matches a common pattern, and that sense of fitting an established mould survives in the modern meaning. English picked it up in the late 1300s through Old French conformer, where it was used both for physical shaping and for agreeing with rules or doctrine. The same forma root runs through a whole family of English words, including form, reform, uniform and deform, so the spelling stays reassuringly regular. Because there is no doubled consonant and no silent letter, the main thing to remember is simply the single n of the con- prefix followed by the everyday word form.

How the word is built

• con- (with, together)
• form (shape, from Latin forma)