combination
9 synonyms and 3 antonyms for combination, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The act of joining two or more things together, or the result of doing so.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use combination
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French combination, from Late Latin combinatio, built from combine plus the noun suffix -ation.
Full origin of combination →Frequently asked questions
What does “combination” mean?
The word “combination” means the act of joining two or more things together, or the result of doing so. In plain terms, two or more things joined or used together — whether ingredients, numbers on a lock, or punches in a fight.
How do you pronounce “combination”?
“Combination” is pronounced kom-bih-NAY-shuhn (/ˌkɑmbɪˈneɪʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “combination” in a sentence?
Here is “combination” used in a sentence: “The dish is a combination of sweet and spicy flavors.”
What is the opposite of “combination”?
The opposite of “combination” — its antonyms — are division, separation and permutation.
What part of speech is “combination”?
“Combination” is a noun.
Where does the word “combination” come from?
The word “combination” comes from Late Latin. From Old French combination, from Late Latin combinatio, built from combine plus the noun suffix -ation.
Is “combination” a common word?
“Combination” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “combination” have?
“Combination” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of joining two or more things together, or the result of doing so.
What is the difference between a combination and a permutation?
In mathematics, a combination is a selection of items where order does not matter, while a permutation is an arrangement where order does matter. Choosing three fruits from a bowl is a combination; deciding the order they are lined up is a permutation. In short, combinations group, permutations arrange.
What is an example of a combination?
A combination is any joining of two or more things. Examples include mixing blue and yellow paint to make green, a lock opened by a particular set of numbers, a meal deal that pairs a sandwich with a drink, or a team blending different skills. Each brings separate parts together.
What is the opposite of combination?
The opposite of combination is separation or division — keeping things apart rather than joining them. Where a combination brings elements together into a whole, separation breaks a whole into parts. Related opposites include split, isolation, and detachment, depending on whether you mean the act of joining or the joined result.