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DictionaryRoot: formare
Latin

formare

shape or give form to

Forms

  • formare
  • format- — The form used for completed action and its derivatives.

Origin

Formed in Latin from forma, “shape”; the deeper origin of forma is uncertain.

Note

Shaping can be physical or abstract, including arranging ideas or organizing something.

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verb

conform

kuhn-FORM/kənˈfɔːrm/

To fit an expected standard or requirement.

The woman conforms to the workshop's safety requirement by putting on goggles.

At a workshop entrance, a woman puts on safety goggles to match the mandatory eye-protection pictogram beside the doorway; a coworker already wears the same protection.
Etymology
conLatintogether, with; sometimes thoroughly
+formLatinshape or give form to

The pieces suggest shaping things together into agreement. Conforming came to mean making oneself similar to an example, hence following rules or accepted ways of behaving.

In context

Steubenville Conferences30:45
conform our actions in accordance with the truth about God about nature about reality
Dr. Ryan Anderson | When Harry Became Sally | Defending the Faith Conference

More examples

  • The revised contract now conforms with state law.
  • We changed the packaging to conform to shipping requirements.
  • She feels pressure to conform to her family's expectations.

Forms

conform · conforms · conformed · conforming

conformity noun — Compliance with established rules, standards, or expectations.

Similar words

comply
Emphasizes obeying rules or instructions, especially through deliberate action.
meet
Emphasizes satisfying a particular condition, threshold, or need.
match
Emphasizes correspondence in features rather than fulfillment of requirements.