abide

[uh-bahyd]

verb (used without object)

abode, abided, abiding. 

1. to remain; continue; stay.

   Abide with me.

   Synonyms: tarry

2. to have one's abode; dwell; reside.

   to abide in a small Scottish village.

   Synonyms: live

3. to continue in a particular condition, attitude, relationship, etc.; last.

   Synonyms: endure, persevere

verb (used with object)

abode, abided, abiding. 

1. to put up with; tolerate; stand.

   I can't abide dishonesty!

   Synonyms: support, brook, endure, bear

2. to endure, sustain, or withstand without yielding or submitting.

   to abide a vigorous onslaught.

3. to wait for; await.

   to abide the coming of the Lord.

4. to accept without opposition or question.

   to abide the verdict of the judges.

5. to pay the price or penalty of; suffer for.

verb phrase

1. abide by

   1. to act in accord with.

   2. to submit to; agree to.

      to abide by the court's decision.

   3. to remain steadfast or faithful to; keep.

      If you make a promise, abide by it.

abide

/ əˈbaɪd /

verb

1. (tr) to tolerate; put up with

2. (tr) to accept or submit to; suffer

   to abide the court's decision

3. 1. to comply (with)

      to abide by the decision

   2. to remain faithful (to)

      to abide by your promise

4. (intr) to remain or continue

5. archaic,  (intr) to dwell

6. archaic,  (tr) to await in expectation

7. archaic,  (tr) to withstand or sustain; endure

   to abide the onslaught

Other Word Forms

• abider noun
• abidance noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of abide¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English abiden, Old English ābīdan; cognate with Old High German irbītan “to await,” Gothic usbeisns “expectation, patience”; equivalent to a- ³ + bide

Word History and Origins

Origin of abide¹

Old English ābīdan, from a- (intensive) + bīdan to wait, bide

Idioms and Phrases

• can't stand (abide)

Example Sentences

“We know the rules, and if anything is not clear, we remind ourselves what the rules are. And we make it absolutely clear we will abide by those rules.”

From Los Angeles Times

Few walking by these troops, even the most law abiding, can fail to feel the power of those weapons at the ready.

From Los Angeles Times

The business was closed for 10 months as she said it was difficult to abide by government guidelines of maintaining a 2m distance from people while trying to tattoo them.

From BBC

Despite having made chronic health conditions the focus of his agenda, Kennedy has quietly abided environmental policies that will exacerbate these problems, including autism.

From Salon

The company added that it abided with the law in Los Angeles County and “every jurisdiction where we operate.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• accept 
• stand for 
• tolerate