Willing to do what you are told to do by someone in authority or by rules. It suggests following orders or instructions without resisting.
From Latin “obediens,” the present participle of “obedire,” meaning “to obey,” from “ob-” (toward) + “audire” (to hear). It originally meant someone who listens toward or pays attention.
The root idea is about “listening toward” someone, not just blindly following. That shows how language connects hearing instructions with the choice to act on them.
“Obedient” has been used disproportionately to describe expectations for women and children, especially in marriage vows, domestic roles, and schooling, reinforcing hierarchical gender norms. Women who deviated from obedience were often stigmatized as disobedient or unruly.
Use “obedient” cautiously for humans, focusing on specific contexts (e.g., legal compliance, safety protocols) rather than general character, and avoid framing obedience as a gendered virtue.
["compliant with rules","respectful of guidelines","follows instructions"]
Women who refused to be “obedient” in social and political movements helped expand rights and freedoms, challenging unjust expectations of submission.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.