Obedient
/əˈbiːdiənt/
Definitions
Complying with or willing to comply with orders or requests.
/əˈbiːdiənt/
Willing to comply with orders or requests; submissive to authority.
The obedient dog quickly learned to fetch.
💡 Simply: Being obedient is like when you follow the rules or do what someone in charge tells you. Like when a kid listens to their parents or a student follows their teacher's instructions. It means you're cooperative and not causing any trouble!
👶 For kids: Being obedient means you do what you're told, like when your parents say, "Clean your room!" and you go do it.
More Examples
She was an obedient student, always completing her assignments on time.
The soldiers were trained to be obedient to their commanding officers.
How It's Used
"The child was obedient to his parents."
"The defendant was found to be obedient to the law."
"The faithful are expected to be obedient to the teachings."
Idioms & expressions
obedient to a fault
Excessively compliant or willing to obey, even to a degree that is detrimental or inappropriate.
"Her obedience to her boss was to a fault; she never questioned anything, even when she knew something was wrong."
From Middle English, from Old French *obedient*, from Latin *obēdiēns*, present participle of *obēdire* 'to obey', from *ob-* 'to' + *audīre* 'to hear'.
The word 'obedient' has been used in English since the Middle Ages, initially reflecting a strong emphasis on religious and social hierarchies and the importance of following divine or earthly authorities.
Memory tip
Think of a dog who immediately does what you tell it to do, the dog is obedient.
Practice
Word Origin
Root: ob- (to) + audire (to hear)