ally
[ verb uh-lahy; noun al-ahy, uh-lahy ]
/ verb əˈlaɪ; noun ˈæl aɪ, əˈlaɪ /
verb (used with object), al·lied, al·ly·ing.
to unite formally, as by treaty, league, marriage, or the like (usually followed by with or to): Russia allied itself to France.
to associate or connect by some mutual relationship, as resemblance or friendship.
verb (used without object), al·lied, al·ly·ing.
to enter into an alliance; join; unite.
noun, plural al·lies.
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.
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.
a person who associates or cooperates with another; supporter.
Origin of ally
1250–1300; Middle English
alien < Anglo-French
al(l)ier, aillaier, Old French
alier < Latin
alligāre to bind to. See
alloy
SYNONYMS FOR ally
OTHER WORDS FROM ally
al·li·a·ble, adjective pre·al·ly, noun, plural pre·al·lies. pre·al·ly, verb, pre·al·lied, pre·al·ly·ing.Words nearby ally
Definition for ally (2 of 2)
-ally
an adverbial suffix attached to certain adjectives with stems in -ic that have no forms ending in -ical: terrifically.
Example sentences from the Web for ally
British Dictionary definitions for ally
ally
verb (əˈlaɪ) -lies, -lying or -lied (usually foll by to or with)
to unite or be united, esp formally, as by treaty, confederation, or marriage
(tr; usually passive)
to connect or be related, as through being similar or compatible
noun (ˈælaɪ, əˈlaɪ) plural -lies
a country, person, or group allied with another
a plant, animal, substance, etc, closely related to another in characteristics or form
Word Origin for ally
C14: from Old French
alier to join, from Latin
alligāre to bind to, from
ligāre to bind