ally

¹ American  

[uh-lahy, al-ahy, uh-lahy] / əˈlaɪ, ˈæl aɪ, əˈlaɪ /

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.

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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 American  

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

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ally British  

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

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noun

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

2. 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

-al ¹ + -ly

Example Sentences

Russia, a long-time ally of Tehran, has denounced what it calls one-sided measures.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Herrero said the shipment was just "another donation" by Cuba's Russian ally, but he doubted that Moscow wanted to subsidize the Cuban economy in the long term.

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

Would I consider that he could ever be an ally or someone that shares objectives?

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

She entered the race to challenge Bass, her one-time ally, at the last minute, hours before the early February filing deadline.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

After hearing Woodhull speak at the meeting, Stanton changed her mind about this new ally.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling

Related Words

• associate
• colleague
• friend
• partner