ally
1 Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
noun
plural
allies-
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
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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.
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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?
verb
-
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
-
a country, person, or group allied with another
-
a plant, animal, substance, etc, closely related to another in characteristics or form
Usage
What else does ally mean? An ally is someone that aligns with and supports a cause with another individual or group of people.A straight ally, more specifically, is an individual outside of the LGBTQ community that supports their fight for equality and rights.
Other Word Forms
- alliable adjective
- preally noun
Etymology
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
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The staunch US allies have carefully courted Iran, their powerful Shia neighbour.
From Barron's
"We pray for the safety of our brave servicemembers and our allies involved in Operation Epic Fury," the top Republican in Congress added.
From Barron's
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain played no role in the U.S.-Israeli strikes, but confirmed British aircraft were conducting defensive operations in the region to protect British interests and allies.
From Barron's
Geopolitical strategists are closely monitoring Beijing’s reaction to the attack on its ally just months after the U.S. seized Venezuela’s leader Nicolás Maduro, one of China’s closest allies in Latin America.
From Barron's
The Iran conflict comes ahead of Sunday’s monthly meeting of eight major oil producers, a group known as the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, or OPEC+.
From MarketWatch
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
