ally

Pluralallies

Formsallies, allying, allied

1. 1
   nouncountable

   A country, group, or person joined to another by an agreement to help in war or politics.

   Like a friend who promises to stand with you in a fight.

   Britain was a close ally of the United States during the war.

   Each ally agreed to defend the others if any one of them was attacked.

   Similarpartner

   Oppositeenemy, adversary, foe

2. 2
   nouncountable

   A person who helps and works together with another, or a friend.

   Like a teammate who always has your back.

   She found an ally in her new coworker.

   He was a loyal ally when times got hard.

   Similarsupporter, friend, associate, partner, helper

   Oppositeenemy, opponent, adversary

   Note
3. 3
   nouncountable

   A person who is not part of a group facing unfair treatment, but who stands up and supports it.

   Like a friend who speaks up for you when others are unfair.

   As a straight ally, he marched in the parade to show his support.

   Teachers can be powerful allies for students who feel left out.

   Similarsupporter, advocate, champion

   Note
4. 4
   verbintransitive

   To join with others to work toward a shared goal.

   Like joining a team so you can win together.

   Small parties often ally with larger ones to win seats.

   The rebels allied with neighboring tribes against the empire.

   Similarunite, combine, join

   Oppositedivide, split

   Note
5. 5
   verbtransitive

   To join two people or groups together, as by marriage or a treaty.

   Like tying two boats together with a strong rope.

   A wedding could ally two rival houses overnight.

   The treaty allied the smaller states under one crown.

   Similarunite, join, bind, link

   Oppositedivide, separate

   Note
6. 6
   nounfigurativelycountable

   Something that helps or supports you, such as an idea or tool.

   Like a tool that makes a hard job easier.

   Patience was her greatest ally during the long recovery.

   Good lighting is an ally to any photographer.

   Similarfriend, asset, aid, helper

   Oppositeenemy

7. 7
   verbreflexivetransitive

   To join yourself with or against another person or group.

   Like picking a side and standing with that group.

   Voters may ally themselves with whichever party promises change.

   She allied herself with the opposition early on.

   Similaralign, associate, affiliate

   Oppositedissociate, distance

   Note
8. 8
   verbtransitive

   To link one thing to another because they are alike in some way.

   Like sorting things into the same group because they look alike.

   Scholars often ally that poet to the Romantics.

   Critics have allied her style with early jazz.

   Similarassociate, link, connect, relate

   Note
9. 9
   nouncountable

   A thing seen as related to another because they share features.

   Like two songs that sound alike because they share a tune.

   Wine is a natural ally of good cheese.

   In texture, slate is a close ally of shale.

   Similarrelative, cousin, relation

   Note
10. 10
    nouncountable

    A living thing closely related to another, like a plant or animal in the same family.

    Like cousins who come from the same family.

    The wolf is a close ally of the domestic dog.

    Wheat and its wild allies grow across the region.

    Similarrelative

    Note

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