rhizoverbBeta
DictionarycomplyActing as required
verb

comply

kuhm-PLY/kəmˈplaɪ/

To act as requested or required.

The visitor complies by removing shoes before entering.

A visitor follows a shoe-removal request, taking off shoes beside a door marked only by a clear shoes-with-diagonal-slash pictogram; shoes set neatly outside before stepping inside.
Etymology
comLatinprobably adds emphasis
+plyLatinto fill

Probably from an Old French verb for fulfilling, comply combines “fill” with a likely intensive prefix. Its earlier meaning, “carry out or fulfill,” connects completing a task with the current sense of acting as requested.

In context

The Explainer Office2:14
failing to comply with a notice about tax deadlines or regulatory requirements can result in penalties.
What Is an Official Government Notice?

More examples

  • They complied with the request.
  • She is complying with the new policy.
  • The company had complied with the order.

Forms

comply · complies · complied · complying

compliance noun — acting as requested or required

Similar words

obey
Directly follows an order or authority.
conform
Fits a standard without necessarily receiving a request.