liaise
Americanverb (used without object)
verb
Usage
What does liaise mean? To liaise means “to form a liaison,” that is, “to communicate and maintain contact with another person or organization.” In other words, liaising is like acting as the contact person between two groups, such as between parents and teachers. Contrary to popular complaints, liaise is a perfectly real and fine word. It’s been around since at least the 1920s. Example: Jen is highly regarded for her ability to liaise with her company’s clients.
Etymology
Origin of liaise
First recorded in 1925–30; back formation from liaison
Explanation
When you liaise with someone, you meet up or connect with them, usually so you can work together on something cooperatively. Two rival soccer teams might liaise to discuss the muddy conditions of the town's soccer fields. The verb liaise comes from the noun liaison, which was adapted from its original French meaning ("a binding together") during World War I to mean "military cooperation or alliance" between different countries. The Latin root of both words is ligatio, "a binding." When two groups liaise, they bind together or connect in order to gain a result that they both want. The very trickiest thing about the word liaise is remembering that it's spelled not with one i but with two.
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.
Under Mexican law, foreign agents may exchange information and liaise with their local counterparts with the supervision of the central government but can’t carry out functions reserved to Mexican law-enforcement authorities.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026
Davies, 78, was granted continued bail on the condition he liaise with the Probation Service for a pre-sentence report.
From BBC • Feb. 20, 2026
They help staff individuals’ estates around the world and liaise with advisers to pick out, and finance, toys such as planes and yachts.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 26, 2025
Its role is to develop the country's space strategy, coordinate research and commercial activities and liaise with international partners.
From BBC • Aug. 19, 2025
The Office of Misinformation will in such a case liaise directly with the Muggle prime minister to seek a plausible non-magical explanation for the event.
From "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" by J.K. Rowling
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.
