ally

¹

[ verb uh-lahy; noun al-ahy, uh-lahy ]

verb (used with object)

, al·lied, al·ly·ing.

1. to unite formally, as by treaty, league, marriage, or the like (usually followed by with or to ):

   Russia allied itself to France.

   Synonyms: wed, combine, join, unify

2. to associate or connect by some mutual relationship, as resemblance or friendship.

verb (used without object)

, al·lied, al·ly·ing.

1. to enter into an alliance; join; unite.

noun

, plural al·lies.

1. a person, group, or nation that is associated with another or others for some common cause or purpose:

   Canada and the United States were allies in World War II.

   Synonyms: confederate, partner

   Antonyms: adversary, foe, enemy

2. Biology. a plant, animal, or other organism bearing an evolutionary relationship to another, often as a member of the same family:

   The squash is an ally of the watermelon.

3. a person who associates or cooperates with another; supporter.

   Synonyms: helper, assistant, auxiliary, coadjutor, colleague, abettor, accessory, accomplice, aide, friend

   Antonyms: adversary, foe, enemy

4. a person who advocates for or supports a marginalized or politicized group but is not a member of the group: As a man, how can I be a good ally to women in the struggle for gender equality?

   Straight allies speak up for the LGBTQ community.

   As a man, how can I be a good ally to women in the struggle for gender equality?

-ally

²

1. an adverbial suffix attached to certain adjectives with stems in -ic that have no forms ending in -ical: terrifically.

ally

verb

1. to unite or be united, esp formally, as by treaty, confederation, or marriage
2. tr; usually passive to connect or be related, as through being similar or compatible

noun

1. a country, person, or group allied with another
2. a plant, animal, substance, etc, closely related to another in characteristics or form

Other Words From

• al·li·a·ble adjective
• pre·al·ly noun plural preallies
• pre·al·ly verb preallied preallying

Word History and Origins

Origin of ally¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English alien, from Anglo-French alal(l)ierier, aillaier, Old French alier, from Latin alligāre “to bind to”; alloy

Origin of ally²

-al ¹ + -ly

Word History and Origins

Origin of ally¹

C14: from Old French alier to join, from Latin alligāre to bind to, from ligāre to bind

Example Sentences

Seen as an ally of that industry, he became a billionaire by creating a software company.

From Science Magazine

The SEC has also clashed with tech billionaire Elon Musk - who has become a strong ally of Trump's.

From BBC

It will now be up to the ICC's 124 member states - which do not include Israel or its ally, the United States - to decide whether or not to enforce the warrants.

From BBC

Shares in Adani Group plunged this morning after the U.S. authorities leveled fraud charges against Gautam Adani, its billionaire founder and a powerful ally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

From New York Times

Last week, Ajit Pawar, a former ally of Mr. Gandhi’s who is fighting an election in Maharashtra state, stunned a television interviewer by mentioning that Mr. Adani hosted the dinner at which his new alliance with the B.J.P. had been hashed out.

From New York Times

Related Words

• associate
• colleague
• friend
• partner