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conformity

kun-FOR-mi-tee /kənˈfɔːrməti/

nounB2SATGRETOEFL

AcademicFormal

Compliance with standards, rules, or laws; behavior in accordance with socially accepted conventions.

Often carries a slightly negative connotation in individualistic cultures, implying a lack of original thought, though sociologically it is the glue of society.

The story behind the word. The word 'conformity' traces back to the Latin 'conformare', which literally means 'to give the same shape to.' In the 14th century, it was used in a religious sense to describe being 'formed' in the image of the divine. By the 17th century, it shifted toward the social meaning we use today: shaping one's behavior to match the 'mold' of the surrounding community.

Word relationships

compliance: Compliance often implies following a specific command, whereas conformity is about following general social patterns.
orthodoxy: Orthodoxy specifically refers to conforming to established religious or political doctrines.

rebellion: Rebellion is an active, often forceful rejection of norms.
idiosyncrasy: An idiosyncrasy is a personal quirk rather than a deliberate social defiance.

Commonly confused with

confirmation: Confirmation is the act of verifying something; conformity is the act of following rules.

Word family

conform (verb): To comply with rules or standards.
conformist (noun/adjective): A person who follows established customs.

Collocations

blind conformity
social conformity
strict conformity
pressure to conform

Idioms & expressions

toe the line
follow the herd
go with the flow

Example sentences

"The pressure toward conformity is enormous, especially in adolescence, where the fear of being different can override personal conviction." A classic sociological observation on social pressure.
"The organization man was the ultimate symbol of mid-century conformity, trading his individuality for corporate security." From a famous critique of 1950s American life.

Memory hook

Think of a 'factory mold' where every product must 'conform' to the exact same shape to be accepted. Same shape, same soul.

When not to use

Do not use when referring to physical objects fitting together; use 'alignment' or 'fit' instead.

Fun facts

In the 1950s, the 'Asch Conformity Experiments' showed that people would knowingly give the wrong answer to a simple question just to match the rest of the group.