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

And this came just a day after Kyiv's allies, the so-called Coalition of the Willing, had pledged a post-war "reassurance force" for Ukraine.

From BBC

It could also put stress on the country's relationship with a key ally.

From BBC

Andy will not, for instance, hold the way open for his human allies fleeing a horde of scuttling terrors.

From Salon

Murray is Scottish Labour's longest serving MP and a close ally of Scottish leader Anas Sarwar.

From BBC

The problem facing the president and his Republican allies hasn’t changed, though.

From Salon

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.