noun

ally

AL-eye

noun

A person, group, or country that supports and cooperates with another, especially against a common opponent.

"Britain and France were allies during both World Wars."

"She found an unexpected ally in her old rival."

verb

To join or unite with someone for a shared purpose.

"The smaller parties allied themselves against the ruling government."

How to Use Ally

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone on your side, working with you toward the same goal.

Common mistake

In modern usage, "ally" is also used for someone outside a marginalized group who actively supports it (for example, an LGBTQ+ ally).

Common pairings

close ally ally with become allies

Word Forms

allied past tense, ally plural, allied plural, allies plural, Allys plural, allies singular, ally singular, allyest singular, allied singular, allyeth singular

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

She found an unexpected _____ in her old rival.

Etymology

From Old French alier, from Latin alligare, "to bind to" — literally someone bound to you by a shared cause.

Rhymes for ally

bally sally Wally dally rally tally pally Lally Cally really orally locally

See all rhymes for ally →