To accept and act in accordance with a rule, decision, or agreement.
To follow a rule or do what was decided, even if you don't like it.
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
To follow or obey a rule, law, or decision.
"All competitors must abide by the rules of the tournament."
We must abide by the decision of the court.
— Common legal idiom, widely used in judicial proceedings and public discourse.
To accept and live with the consequences of a decision or agreement, even if unfavorable.
"She promised to abide by whatever the committee decided."
Often used in legal, professional, and ethical contexts. Commonly followed by nouns such as 'rules', 'decision', 'law', 'agreement'. Not used in progressive tenses as frequently as verbs of action.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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