ally

¹

[uh-lahy, al-ahy, uh-lahy]

verb (used with object)

allied, allying 

1. to unite formally, as by treaty, league, marriage, or the like (usually followed by with orto ).

   Russia allied itself to France.

   Synonyms: wed, wed, combine, join, join, unify

2. to associate or connect by some mutual relationship, as resemblance or friendship.

verb (used without object)

allied, allying 

1. to enter into an alliance; join; unite.

noun

plural

allies 

1. 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
   Antonyms: adversary, foe, enemy

2. 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.

3. a person who associates or cooperates with another; supporter.

   Synonyms: helper, assistant, auxiliary, coadjutor, colleague, abettor, accessory, accomplice, aide, friend
   Antonyms: adversary, foe, enemy

4. 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?

-ally

²

1. an adverbial suffix attached to certain adjectives with stems in -ic that have no forms ending in -ical: terrifically.

ally

verb

1. to unite or be united, esp formally, as by treaty, confederation, or marriage

2. (tr; usually passive) to connect or be related, as through being similar or compatible

noun

1. a country, person, or group allied with another

2. a plant, animal, substance, etc, closely related to another in characteristics or form

Other Word Forms

• alliable adjective
• preally verb

Word History and Origins

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

-al ¹ + -ly

Word History and Origins

Origin of ally¹

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

Example Sentences

Some MPs on the right of the Labour Party had been pushing for McDonnell - a long-time ally of Corbyn - to be expelled from the parliamentary party on a more permanent basis.

From BBC

So this was not an exoneration of Comey from a Comey ally, or a liberal, or a Democrat, or anything like that.

From Slate

The reason for such consequences would be simple: Undermining America’s strongest ally in the Middle East while simultaneously creating yet another new terror-friendly Islamist state directly harms the American national interest.

From Los Angeles Times

Even the ever-ebullient Ally McCoist was subdued.

From BBC

This need not be a barrier for long, however, should an ally decide to step down to make way for him in a by-election - assuming, of course, that he could get elected standing with a red rosette with Reform UK riding high in the polls.

From BBC

Related Words

• associate 
• colleague 
• friend 
• partner 

When To Use

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.