Meaning & use
conformity
Last updated
Meanings
noununcountable
Behavior that matches the rules, standards, or habits accepted by most people in a group.
Grammar: No plural; often followed by to or with: conformity to local customs.
Patterns
- conformity to something
- conformity with something
- social conformity
Teenagers often feel strong pressure toward conformity.
Her dress showed conformity to the office rules.
The report questions blind conformity to tradition.
noununcountableformal
Agreement between something and an official rule, standard, or requirement; often in the formal phrase 'in conformity with.'
Grammar: No plural; set phrase is in conformity with, not to, in careful formal writing.
Patterns
- in conformity with
- ensure conformity to standards
- conformity requirements
The building was designed in conformity with safety codes.
Inspectors checked the labels for conformity to standards.
All procedures must be in conformity with the law.
Common combinations
- social conformity
- The experiment tested how far social conformity would go.
- pressure for conformity
- There is constant pressure for conformity in large organizations.
- in conformity with
- The plan was approved in conformity with national guidelines.
- demand conformity
- The rules demand conformity from every member.
Synonyms and how they differ
- compliance
- Focuses on obeying official rules, while conformity often means matching the behavior or wishes of a group.
- obedience
- Means following orders from an authority, not simply matching what others around you do.
- conventionality
- Highlights being ordinary and expected, and is less about group pressure than conformity is.
Opposites
Word family
- conform verb
- To behave according to rules or to match what others do.
- conformist noun
- A person who follows accepted rules and avoids standing out.
- nonconformity noun
- Refusal to follow accepted rules or group behavior.
Commonly confused: conformity or confirmation?
conformity vs confirmation
Confirmation means proof or an official approval, while conformity means matching accepted behavior or rules.
Practice
All equipment must be installed ___ the manufacturer's safety standards.
Choose one answer.
The fixed formal phrase is in conformity with, meaning agreement with rules. In comparison with only notes likeness, in conflict with means disagreement, and in exchange with is not a real pattern here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “conformity”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.