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

Both would have been allies on the board as decisions about pay, benefits and accountability through the budget move through county leadership.
Politics Report: Winners and Losers Special Edition | Scott Lewis and Andrew Keatts | November 7, 2020 | Voice of San Diego
The calls from the president and his allies to stop vote counts can still undermine confidence in the outcome.
It might not feel like it, but the election is working | Bobbie Johnson | November 6, 2020 | MIT Technology Review
The game night is primarily for transmasculine and nonbinary people but friends, partners, and allies of any gender are welcome.
Calendar: Nov. 6-12 | Parker Purifoy | November 5, 2020 | Washington Blade
In oil markets, which are more focused on the pandemic and market fundamentals than the election, prices climbed higher after the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies considered further production cuts.
Dow jumps 367 points as Wall Street looks past election uncertainty | Taylor Telford, Hannah Denham | November 4, 2020 | Washington Post
Megan Rapinoe has cemented her role as one of America’s greatest athletes, but beyond her massive professional success on the soccer field, Rapinoe has also become an icon and ally to millions.
6 new books to read in November | Rachel King | November 1, 2020 | Fortune

News stories like this one at Vox expressed the consensus view that we were now allying with Assad.
Is Obama Done Playing Footsie With Assad? | Michael Tomasky | November 17, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Allying themselves with the Shiite militant group Hezbollah, some Lebanese Christians are standing their ground against ISIS.
Lebanese Christians Gun Up Against ISIS | Susannah George | November 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
But Obama resists allying with them, and mostly for the right reasons (and so as not to anger the Saudis).
Please—Let's Not Destroy ISIS | Michael Tomasky | September 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
By allying himself with Iran hawks, Obama is getting the Iran-Syria dynamic exactly wrong.
Iran, Assad, and Obama’s Quagmire | Peter Beinart | September 9, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
In saying this, the former Bush official was effectively allying himself with the Obama administration position.
Rand Paul and Ron Wyden, Drone Odd-Couple | Eli Lake | February 26, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
The chief follows his vengeance alone, he will know how to attain it without allying himself to one of his foes to get it.
The Pirates of the Prairies | Gustave Aimard
The Arabian influence, allying itself to philosophy, was henceforth productive of other than military results.
History of the Intellectual Development of Europe, Volume I (of 2) | John William Draper
Southey's remark that he could only succeed by allying himself with some religious fanaticism was just to the point.
The English Utilitarians, Volume II (of 3) | Leslie Stephen
Hardly could they have expected shelter and protection from the king who was allying his own family with the house of Ahab.
Notable Women of Olden Time | Anonymous
The circumstances which succeeded his allying himself with France fall not within my province to detail.
The History of Chivalry, Volume II (of 2) | Charles Mills

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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