adhere

Everyday

1. To adhere means to stick firmly to something, like glue or a sticker on a surface. tree →
2. (formal) To adhere to a rule, plan or belief means to follow it or keep to it carefully. tree →
3. (formal) To adhere to a group or idea can mean to support it loyally. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons, «adhere» describes how glue, tape and paint stick to materials, and «adhesive» is the name for sticky stuff. In the stiff exam or rules voice, «pupils must adhere to the uniform policy» means pupils must follow it. Phrases: «adhere to», «adhere strictly to».

Examples

• The sticker would not adhere to the wet window. tree →
• Paint adheres better if the wall is clean. tree →
• All players must adhere to the rules of the game. tree →
• Our family adheres to a strict bedtime on school nights. tree →
• The glue helps the paper adhere to the card. tree →
• The school adheres to safety guidelines on trips. tree →
• Christians who adhere to the old ways keep Sunday as a day of rest. tree →
• One spring day the neighbor's boy brought him some field-flowers, and among them was one to which the root still adhered. tree →

Note

Regular verb: adhered, adhering. Usually followed by «to». It is a formal word; in everyday talk say «stick to» or «follow». Related words: adhesive (sticky stuff), adherent (a follower).

In Jewish tradition

In Chronicles it means to join and stay loyal to someone. Judah and Benjamin "adhered" to King Rehoboam and stood by him. In the primary lessons: In science lessons, «adhere» describes how glue, tape and paint stick to materials, and «adhesive» is the name for sticky stuff. In the stiff exam or rules voice, «pupils must adhere to the uniform policy» means pupils must follow it. Phrases: «adhere to», «adhere strictly to».

Examples

• And Judah and Benjamin adhered to him. (Writings 2CH.11.12, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Regular verb: adhered, adhering. Usually followed by «to». It is a formal word; in everyday talk say «stick to» or «follow». Related words: adhesive (sticky stuff), adherent (a follower).