Meaning

(transitive) To endure without yielding; to withstand..

Definitions by Sense

1. (transitive) To endure without yielding; to withstand.
2. (transitive) To bear patiently.
3. (transitive) To pay for; to stand the consequences of.
4. Used in a phrasal verb: abide by (“to accept and act in accordance with”).
5. (intransitive, obsolete) To wait in expectation.
6. (intransitive, obsolete) To pause; to delay.
7. (intransitive, archaic, Scotland) To stay; to continue in a place; to remain stable or fixed in some state or condition; to be left.
8. (intransitive, archaic) To have one's abode.

Example Sentences

The old oak tree abides the wind endlessly.

"I never could abide shoemakers," said an old servant,—and it ended in her marrying one.

VVe will be Kings and Lords within our ſelues, And not abide the pride of tyrranie.

Neuer neuer: ſhe would alwayes ſay ſhee could not abide M[aster] Shallow.

We are vegetarian leaning, dislike smoking and alcohol, cannot abide drugs.

By God sir. I will not abide another toe.

Diſparage not the faith thou doſt not know, / Leſt to thy perill thou abide it deare.

If it be found ſo, ſome will deere abide it.

Word Forms

• abides
• abiding
• abode
• abided
• abid
• abidden

Synonyms for abide

Related Words

When Should You Use Abide?

Use abide when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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