liaison
Liaison (noun) means a person who acts as a link between two groups, passing information back and forth. Example: “She was appointed as the liaison between the police and the community.”
How to Use Liaison
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a go-between who connects two groups, or (less formally) a secret romantic affair.
Commonly misspelled — remember the "ai" comes before the second "i": l-i-a-i-s-o-n.
Word Forms
liaisoned past tense, liaisons plural, liaisons singular
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
She was appointed as the _____ between the police and the community.
Etymology
From French liaison ("binding"), from Latin ligare ("to bind").
Related Words
Rhymes for liaison
See all rhymes for liaison →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “liaison” mean?
The word “liaison” means a person who acts as a link between two groups, passing information back and forth. In plain terms, either a go-between who connects two groups, or (less formally) a secret romantic affair.
How do you pronounce “liaison”?
“Liaison” is pronounced lee-AY-zo (/liˈeɪˌzɑn/ in IPA).
How do you use “liaison” in a sentence?
Here is “liaison” used in a sentence: “She was appointed as the liaison between the police and the community.”
What part of speech is “liaison”?
“Liaison” is a noun.
Where does the word “liaison” come from?
The word “liaison” comes from Latin. From French liaison ("binding"), from Latin ligare ("to bind").
Is “liaison” a common word?
“Liaison” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “liaison” have?
“Liaison” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who acts as a link between two groups, passing information back and forth.
What is the difference between a liaison and a contact?
A contact is simply a known person one can reach out to, while a liaison has an active role in maintaining ongoing communication and cooperation between two groups or organizations. A liaison's job is specifically to coordinate information flow, not just to be known to both sides.
What does a liaison officer do?
A liaison officer acts as a formal link between two organizations, such as a police department and a community group, passing information back and forth and coordinating cooperation between them.
Can liaison refer to a romantic relationship?
Yes, liaison can also refer to a secret or illicit romantic relationship, a usage distinct from its more common meaning of formal communication between two parties. Context usually makes clear which sense is intended.