tied
Tied (adj) means closely linked or connected to something else. Example: “Her career is closely tied to the success of the company.”
How to Use Tied
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishConnected to, restricted by, or ending in equal results with something.
Word Forms
more tied comparative, most tied superlative
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
Her career is closely _____ to the success of the company.
Related Words
Rhymes for tied
See all rhymes for tied →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “tied” mean?
The word “tied” means closely linked or connected to something else. In plain terms, connected to, restricted by, or ending in equal results with something.
How do you pronounce “tied”?
“Tied” is pronounced tyd (/taɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “tied” in a sentence?
Here is “tied” used in a sentence: “Her career is closely tied to the success of the company.”
What part of speech is “tied”?
“Tied” is an adjective.
Is “tied” a common word?
“Tied” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “tied” have?
“Tied” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: closely linked or connected to something else.
What does it mean to be tied to something?
To be tied to something is to be closely linked or bound to it, so that the two cannot easily be separated. A person's mood might be tied to the weather, or a bonus tied to performance. It suggests dependence or a strong connection, not necessarily a physical knot.
What is the difference between tied and bound?
Both mean connected or obliged, but bound is stronger. Being tied to a place suggests a close link you might loosen; being bound implies a firm obligation, often by law or duty. Tied can also simply mean level in a contest, a sense that bound never carries.
Can tied mean something other than connected?
Yes. Beyond meaning linked, tied often describes an equal score, as when two teams are tied at the final whistle. It can also mean physically fastened with a knot, as in tied shoelaces. Context makes the meaning clear, but the connected sense usually appears in phrases like tied to or closely tied.