conformity
/kənˈfɔːməti/ (bre, ipa) · /kənˈfɔːrməti/ (ame, ipa) · /kən-ˈfȯr-mə-tē/ (ame, mw)
conformity — noun
1. behaving the same way as the people around you, so that you fit in with the crow
behaving the same way as the people around you, so that you fit in with the crowd instead of standing out or upsetting shared habits.
Minh felt the pressure for conformity grow after joining the small village school.
abstract noun: pressure for conformity
The teacher worried that strict uniforms encouraged conformity instead of personal expression.
subject is institutional rule (uniforms)
Teenagers often hate the idea of conformity but still copy what their friends wear.
Joaquín wrote an essay about why blind conformity can be dangerous in a crowd.
Office culture in the 1950s demanded a high level of conformity in dress and speech.
- compliance
narrower — usually about obeying a specific rule or order
- obedience
stronger — emphasises following authority rather than blending in
- uniformity
focuses on visible sameness rather than behavioural pressure
- individuality
expressing what makes you different from the group
- rebellion
active rejection of group rules
文法句型
conformity to + norm/rule
in conformity with + standard
用法筆記
Frequently negative in tone — speakers often pair it with words like 'pressure', 'blind', 'enforced', or 'mindless' to criticise group behaviour that discourages independent thought.
常見錯誤
2. the state of meeting an official rule, law, or technical standard exactly as wri
the state of meeting an official rule, law, or technical standard exactly as written.
The new bridge was built in conformity with European safety regulations.
fixed phrase: in conformity with + regulation
Inspectors checked the factory for conformity with national fire-safety rules.
collocation: conformity with + rules
Ritu signed the form to certify the company's conformity with tax law.
The toy was withdrawn from shops because of failed conformity with safety standards.
- compliance
more common in legal and business writing
- adherence
stresses sticking to rules over time
- violation
active breach of the rule
- non-compliance
neutral term for not meeting the standard
文法句型
in conformity with + standard/law
conformity with + regulation
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is about formal compliance with written rules (often legal or technical), not about social pressure. Almost always appears in the phrase 'in conformity with' or 'conformity with'.
常見錯誤
3. a close match between two things in shape, appearance, or opinion — used when de
a close match between two things in shape, appearance, or opinion — used when describing how alike they are.
Takeshi noted the surprising conformity between the two ancient pottery styles.
conformity between A and B
There was clear conformity of opinion among the judges about the winning painting.
collocation: conformity of opinion
The architect was pleased by the conformity of the new wing with the old hall.
Scientists looked for a conformity of patterns across the three fossil samples.
- agreement
broader; covers people as well as forms
- correspondence
stresses point-by-point matching
- similarity
more common in everyday English
- difference
everyday opposite
- divergence
formal opposite, often of opinion
文法句型
conformity between A and B
conformity of shape/opinion
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (group behaviour) and sense 2 (legal compliance): this sense names a resemblance or agreement between things rather than a person following a rule. Quite rare in everyday speech.