adherence
gb/ədhˈɪɹəns/ us/ədhˈɪɹəns/
C1
English
~ 8700
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
C1
state
1
following rules or standards exactly
The act of following rules, plans, or beliefs very carefully and not breaking them.
Usage pattern:
adherence to [rules/standards/guidelines/schedule]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use the wrong preposition and say *adherence with* or *adherence of* instead of *adherence to*. The natural pattern is *adherence to [rules/plan/guidelines]*. Another confusion is between *adherence* (following rules or plans) and *adhesion* (things sticking together physically).
Synonyms
compliance (Focuses on obeying rules or laws, especially in official or legal contexts; very close in meaning but slightly more legal/bureaucratic.)
|
observance (Often used for following laws, traditions, or religious rules; a bit more formal and ceremonial than 'adherence'.)
Antonyms
noncompliance (Direct opposite in legal and official settings: not doing what rules or regulations require.)
|
disregard (Stresses a lack of care or respect for rules, advice, or standards.)
Collocations
strict adherence
|full adherence
|adherence to the rules
|adherence to guidelines
|ensure adherence
|lack of adherence
Themes
business
|law
|health
|ethics
|core_vocabulary
|work
Examples
- Strict adherence to safety regulations has greatly reduced the number of workplace accidents.
- The success of the project depends on everyone’s adherence to the agreed timeline.
- There was poor adherence to the company’s data protection policy, leading to a security breach.
- The doctor emphasized the importance of adherence to the prescribed treatment plan.
- Adherence to democratic principles is essential for maintaining public trust.
Learner examples
- Adherence to the rules is important in this company.
- The teacher asked for full adherence to the class schedule.
- Good adherence to your diet can help you lose weight.
- Adherence to the plan helped the team finish on time.
- The doctor was worried about the patient’s adherence to the medicine schedule.
Noun
technical
C1
property
2
state of surfaces sticking together
The state of one thing staying fixed to another thing because it sticks to it.
Usage pattern:
adherence of [substance] to [surface]
Common mistake:
Learners often do not know that *adherence* can have this physical meaning and expect only the 'following rules' sense. In technical writing, *adhesion* is more common, so using *adherence* here may sound less standard in some fields.
Synonyms
adhesion (The standard technical word in science and engineering for surfaces or particles sticking together; in many technical contexts it can replace 'adherence'.)
Antonyms
detachment (Describes surfaces or materials coming apart instead of sticking together.)
Collocations
strong adherence
|poor adherence
|surface adherence
|adherence of bacteria
|adherence to the surface
Themes
science
|technology
|medicine
|health
Examples
- The paint showed poor adherence to the metal surface and began to peel within weeks.
- Special coatings are used to improve the adherence of the glue to plastic parts.
- Bacterial adherence to the catheter can lead to serious infections.
- The success of the dental filling depends on its adherence to the tooth enamel.
Learner examples
- The tape lost its adherence to the wall.
- Good adherence of the paint to the wood makes it last longer.
- The doctor explained that bacterial adherence to the skin can cause problems.
- Engineers tested the adherence of the new glue to glass.
Grammar
Dictionary form
adherence
IPA
GB/ədhˈɪɹəns/
US/ədhˈɪɹəns/
Syllables & stress
ad - her - ence (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (her)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: adherence
- Plural: adherence, adherences
Word family
Expressions
in adherence to
1/ˈɪn ədhˈɪɹəns tə/
fixed phrase
formal
in line with rules or standards
Following a rule, law, or standard; in agreement with what a rule or policy says.
Examples
- In adherence to company policy, all visitors must sign in at reception.
- The report was prepared in adherence to international accounting standards.