allied

The word “allied” means united by agreement or common purpose, especially as partners against a common opponent. In plain terms, joined together with others, either as formal partners or simply as related in kind.

“Allied” is pronounced AL-yd (/ˈæl.aɪd/ in IPA).

Here is “allied” used in a sentence: “The two tribes were allied against the invading army.”

“Allied” is an adjective.

“Allied” is a fairly common word in modern English.

“Allied” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: united by agreement or common purpose, especially as partners against a common opponent.

Allied describes parties united by an actual agreement or common purpose, often as partners against a shared opponent, as in 'allied nations.' Aligned is looser: it means positioned in agreement or support, without implying any formal pact, as in 'a party aligned with business interests.' Every allied group is aligned, but aligned groups are not necessarily allied.

Both are correct, but they lean toward different senses. 'Allied with' is the usual choice for partnerships between countries, parties, or groups ('Britain was allied with France'). 'Allied to' often introduces the 'related or connected' sense, describing qualities that go together, as in 'talent allied to discipline.'

Capitalize allied when it forms part of the proper name of a specific coalition, most famously the Allied powers or Allied forces of the world wars. When it simply means united by agreement or related in nature — allied industries, allied health professions — it stays lowercase.