ally

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

See synonyms for: ally allied allies allying on Thesaurus.com

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.
a person who advocates for or supports a marginalized or politicized group but is not a member of the group: 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?

Origin of ally

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

Other words for ally

1	unify, join, combine, wed
4	partner, confederate
6	friend, aide; accomplice, accessory, abettor; colleague, coadjutor, auxiliary, assistant, helper

See synonyms for ally on Thesaurus.com

Opposites for ally

4, 6	enemy, foe, adversary

See antonyms for ally on Thesaurus.com

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

Other definitions 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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use ally in a sentence

But ally knows better and dresses tastefully for her age and body type now.
Inside A Finishing School for Transwomen | Sharon Adarlo | December 27, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
We are not "equal" and you are not an ally if this is the childish base of your notions.
The Unbearable Whiteness of Protesting | Rawiya Kameir, Judnick Mayard | December 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
In many ways, the behavior of the male “ally” demonstrates how far we have to go in the tech industry.
Tech’s Male ‘Feminists’ Aren’t Helping | Cate Huston, Karen Catlin | December 8, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
But on closer inspection, Wadhwa is still early in his journey to becoming a real ally.
Tech’s Male ‘Feminists’ Aren’t Helping | Cate Huston, Karen Catlin | December 8, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Whilst Whitacre never defined himself as an “ally,” this remains a cautionary tale of what not to do.
Tech’s Male ‘Feminists’ Aren’t Helping | Cate Huston, Karen Catlin | December 8, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST

It was of course obvious that France, the traditional ally of Sweden, dominated Europe.
Napoleon's Marshals | R. P. Dunn-Pattison
At last the lascar rose and floundered through the mud toward the village, but he was careful to leave an ally to watch the boats.
Kipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book II | Rudyard Kipling
Thenceforth he was always a reliable ally of the Spaniards against Moro incursions.
The Philippine Islands | John Foreman
In Nicholas Rubinstein he found a powerful friend and ally, who supported his enterprise for twenty years with unfailing energy.
The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky | Modeste Tchaikovsky
To be called Thomas was gratifying, but the Mr. was quite overpowering and made Tom her ally at once.
The Cromptons | Mary J. Holmes

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

Origin of ally

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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