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

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 THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH ally

allay alley alloy ally (see synonym study at allay)

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.

Origin of -ally

-al1 + -ly

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