2 syllables: con, forms. Stress on forms.
kuhn-FAWRMZ
/kəˈnfɔɹmz/
conforms is pronounced kuhn-FAWRMZ (/kəˈnfɔɹmz/). It has two syllables (con-forms), with the stress on "forms". Conforms is the present tense form of conform, meaning to comply with rules or standards or to match or adapt to a prevailing pattern. It implies aligning one’s behavior or appearance with a set of expectations or norms. The word often emphasizes the act of adjustment to fit an external standard rather than creating one’s own path.
Conforms is the present tense form of conform, meaning to comply with rules or standards or to match or adapt to a prevailing pattern. It implies aligning one’s behavior or appearance with a set of expectations or norms. The word often emphasizes the act of adjustment to fit an external standard rather than creating one’s own path.
"Employees are expected to conform to the company’s dress code."
"The painting conforms to the classical style of the period."
"He refused to conform, choosing instead to follow his own beliefs."
You pronounce it /kənˈfɔːrmz/ in US/UK/AU; the primary stress is on the second syllable: con-FORMS. Break it into con- + -forms. Start with /k/ to /ɪ/ (or /ə/ in unstressed), then /n/; the stressed syllable carries /ˈfɔːr/ in rhotic accents, followed by /mz/ in the final cluster. Ensure you voice the /z/ and release the /m/ into it smoothly. An audio reference: consult a standard dictionary or pronunciation resource.
Two common errors: (1) over-suppressing the final z, producing /-m/ or /-mz̩/ without voice; (2) misplacing the stress, saying con-FORMS with weaker emphasis or spreading it over the first syllable. Correct by clearly stressing the second syllable and finishing with a crisp /z/. Also avoid a trailing /s/ sound; keep it as /z/ to reflect the voiced ending. Practice with minimal pairs to lock the final consonant sound.
In US/UK/AU, the main difference is the rhotic vowel quality and the /r/ influence. US and AU speakers typically have rhotic accents: /kənˈfɔːrmz/ with an /r/ sound before the /m/. UK speakers may have a slightly shorter or less rhotacized /ɔː/ and a more non-rhotic feel in some varieties, but in most standard varieties you still hear an /r/ in careful speech. Overall, the consonant cluster /rmz/ remains similar, but the preceding vowel length and r-color can vary slightly by dialect.
The difficulty lies in the final /mz/ cluster after a stressed syllable and the preceding /ɔː/ vowel quality. The transition from /ɔː/ to /r/ and then to /mz/ requires precise voicing and timing. Beginners often drop the final /z/ or merge /r/ and /m/; practice with slow, exaggerated movements of the tongue, ensuring the /r/ is correctly placed before the /m/. IPA cues help you lock the sequence /ˈfɔːr/ + /mz/.
A unique query aspect is recognizing that people search for “how to say conform s” or “conforms pronunciation.” Emphasize the pattern con-FORMS and the final /z/. Including IPA, stress, and mouth positions in your answer satisfies SEO and helps users quickly grasp the pronunciation. Also note the subtle r-vowel influence in rhotic accents before the /m/ cluster.
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Conforms derives from the verb conform, which comes from the Latin conformare, meaning to form together or to fashion in agreement. con- (with, together) + formare (to shape, to bring into form) evolved into Old French as conformer before entering Middle English. The core sense in Latin was to shape or fashion in accord with a standard or pattern, often linked to social or moral norms. In English, conform first appeared in the 14th century with meanings related to shaping or forming something to fit a pattern. By the 15th–17th centuries, the term broadened to describe behavior that aligns with established rules, customs, or authority. The modern usage emphasizes submission to external standards—whether in manners, attire, beliefs, or systems—rather than independent adaptation. The word’s semantic journey mirrors social discipline: from literal shaping to behavioral alignment, retaining the sense of outward alignment with a rule or precedent while sometimes implying a lack of personal deviation. The present tense conforms is common in discussions of social expectations, organizational policies, and standards oversight, illustrating how language preserves both the physical and metaphorical senses of “shape to fit.”
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "conforms" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "conforms" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "conforms"
-rms sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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