Ally Definition

ə-lī, ălī

allied, allies, allying

verb

allied, allies, allying

To place in a friendly association, as by treaty.

Italy allied itself with Germany during World War II.

American Heritage

To unite or associate for a specific purpose, as families by marriage, nations by treaty, or companies by agreement.

Webster's New World

To become allied.

Webster's New World

To unite or connect in a personal relationship, as in friendship or marriage.

American Heritage

To relate by similarity of structure, certain qualities, etc.

The onion is allied to the lily.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

noun

allies

One that is allied with another, especially by treaty.

Entered the war as an ally of France.

American Heritage

A country, person, or group joined with another or others for a common purpose.

Webster's New World

One in helpful association with another.

Legislators who are allies on most issues.

American Heritage

A plant, animal, or thing closely related in structure, etc. to another.

Webster's New World

An animal that cooperates with another animal of the same species in an alliance.

American Heritage

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Antonyms:
antagonist
enemy

pronoun

A diminutive of the female given names Alison, Alice and Alexandra.

Wiktionary

A diminutive of the male given name Alfred or of other names beginning with Al-.

Wiktionary

suffix

Forms adverbs; usually of adjectives ending in -ic.

Wiktionary

Other Word Forms of Ally

Noun

Singular:

ally

Plural:

Allies

Origin of Ally

From Middle English alien, Old French alier (Modern French allier), from Latin alligō (“to bind to”), from ad (“to”) + ligō. Compare alligate, allay, alloy and ligament.

From Wiktionary
Middle English allien from Old French alier from Latin alligāre to bind to alloy

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Combination of adjectival suffix + adverbial suffix.

From Wiktionary
Diminutive of alabaster.

From Wiktionary