1
Core action
Stick firmly to a surface or follow a rule, principle, plan, or commitment faithfully.
Example
The coating adheres firmly to metal.
adhere
/ədˈhɪə/ · ad-HEERverb
Stick firmly to a surface or follow a rule, principle, plan, or commitment faithfully.
Use adhere to express this relationship precisely: stick firmly to a surface or follow a rule, principle, plan, or commitment faithfully.
What adhere Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Common construction
Use this expression in its normal grammatical frame so the relationship between the surrounding ideas remains explicit.
Example
All laboratories must adhere to the protocol.
3
Reasoning effect
It tells the reader how to interpret the timing, scope, evidence, contrast, condition, or consequence in the statement.
Example
The revised policy adheres to the organisation's principles.
Use adhere Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The coating adheres firmly to metal.
All laboratories must adhere to the protocol.
The revised policy adheres to the organisation's principles.
Precision Matters
Adhere overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
adhere
vs.Means stick firmly to a surface or follow a rule, principle, plan, or commitment faithfully.
in accordance with
Means in agreement or compliance with a rule, principle, request, or body of evidence.
adhere
vs.Means stick firmly to a surface or follow a rule, principle, plan, or commitment faithfully.
consistent with
Means in agreement or harmony with; not contradicted by.
adhere
vs.Means stick firmly to a surface or follow a rule, principle, plan, or commitment faithfully.
repudiate
Means reject a claim, belief, agreement, or association as false, invalid, or unacceptable.
adhere
vs.Means stick firmly to a surface or follow a rule, principle, plan, or commitment faithfully.
mandatory
Means required by a rule, law, or authority; not optional.
Test adhere in Context
Each team must follow the procedure faithfully.
1
To ensure comparable results, every team must ___ to the same sampling procedure.