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verb A1 Beginner Very common

join

JOYN

Join (verb) means to connect two or more things so they form a single unit. Example: “They joined the two pipes with a metal clamp.”

verb
1
To connect two or more things so they form a single unit.
"They joined the two pipes with a metal clamp."
"Glue the edges together to join the pieces of wood."
2
To become a member of a group, club, or organization.
"She joined the gym after New Year."
"He joined the army straight out of school."
3
To come together with someone, or meet up.
"Will you join us for dinner tonight?"

How to Use Join

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo connect things together, or to become part of a group or activity.

Common pairings
join a club join forces join the queue join together

Word Forms

joined past tense, joint past tense, join plural, joined plural, joins plural, joins singular, join singular, joined singular, joinest singular, joinedst singular, joineth singular

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Test yourself on “join” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

They _____ the two pipes with a metal clamp.

Etymology

From Old French joindre, from Latin iungere, "to yoke or connect" — the same root as "junction" and "yoke."

Origin: Latin

Related Words

Rhymes for join

See all rhymes for join →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “join” mean?

The word “join” means to connect two or more things so they form a single unit. In plain terms, to connect things together, or to become part of a group or activity.

How do you pronounce “join”?

“Join” is pronounced JOYN (/ˈd͡ʒɔɪn/ in IPA).

How do you use “join” in a sentence?

Here is “join” used in a sentence: “They joined the two pipes with a metal clamp.”

What is another word for “join”?

Words with a similar meaning to “join” include connect, fay, unite, accouple, affix and assemble.

What is the opposite of “join”?

The opposite of “join” — its antonyms — are detach, disconnect, disjoin, divide and unfasten.

What part of speech is “join”?

“Join” is a verb.

Where does the word “join” come from?

The word “join” comes from Latin. From Old French joindre, from Latin iungere, "to yoke or connect" — the same root as "junction" and "yoke.".

Is “join” a common word?

“Join” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

What is the difference between 'join' and 'connect'?

The words overlap heavily. 'Join' usually means to bring things together so they become one unit, often physically fixed — joining two pipes or two pieces of wood. 'Connect' can mean linking things while they stay separate, like connecting two computers. Joined things tend to form a whole; connected things simply share a link.

What is the opposite of 'join'?

The main opposites are 'separate' and 'divide' — to move joined things apart. Depending on context you might also use 'split,' 'detach,' or 'disconnect.' Where 'join' brings two or more things together into one unit, its opposites break that single unit back into separate parts.

What is the difference between 'join' and 'combine'?

'Join' means to connect things so they form a single unit, often while each part stays recognizable — two boards joined at a corner. 'Combine' means to merge things so they blend into one, sometimes losing their separate identities, like combining ingredients. Joining links things; combining mixes them together.

What are common ways to join two things?

Things can be joined in many ways depending on the materials. Common methods include gluing, nailing, screwing, welding, soldering, stitching, tying, and clipping. Some joins are permanent, like welding, while others can be undone, like a clip or a knot. The goal is always to hold the parts together as one unit.

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