adhere
Americanverb (used without object)
-
to stay attached; stick fast; cleave; cling (usually followed byto ).
The mud adhered to his shoes.
-
Physics, Chemistry. (of two or more dissimilar substances) to be united by a molecular force acting in the area of contact.
-
to be devoted in support or allegiance; be attached as a follower or upholder (usually followed byto ).
to adhere to a party.
-
to hold closely or firmly (usually followed byto ).
to adhere to a plan.
-
Obsolete. to be consistent.
verb (used with object)
verb
-
(usually foll by to) to stick or hold fast
-
(foll by to) to be devoted (to a political party, cause, religion, etc); be a follower (of)
-
(foll by to) to follow closely or exactly
adhere to the rules
Related Words
See stick 2.
Other Word Forms
- adherable adjective
- adherence noun
- adherer noun
- preadhere verb (used without object)
Etymology
Origin of adhere
First recorded in 1590–1600; from Medieval Latin adhērēre for Latin adhaerēre ( ad- ad- + haerēre “to stick, cling”), perhaps via Middle French adhérer
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It likely contains guidelines around dress code, and if your boss isn’t adhering to them, you can go to HR.
From MarketWatch
Earlier this month, Congo’s Tshisekedi visited Washington again, where he urged U.S. lawmakers to pass sanctions legislation on Rwanda to pressure it to adhere to the peace agreement, according to Congressional aides.
Three years ago, Bostic faced scrutiny after reporting that he had failed to adhere to Fed rules governing senior officials’ personal financial transactions.
"The bags are extremely thin so you can only put so much in there, and you can only put certain things in, but no one seems to adhere to that," explains Jackie.
From BBC
The law also means that parents can complain to the department if they believe a school is not adhering to the guidelines.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
