combination
kom-bih-NAY-shuhn
Combination (noun) means the act of joining two or more things together, or the result of doing so. Example: “The dish is a combination of sweet and spicy flavors.”
noun
1
The act of joining two or more things together, or the result of doing so.
"The dish is a combination of sweet and spicy flavors."
"Success here comes down to a combination of hard work and luck."
"The combination of rain and wind made the walk miserable."
2
A specific sequence of numbers or letters used to open a lock.
"He forgot the combination to his gym locker."
"Please change the combination on your suitcase lock every few months."
"She wrote the combination on a slip of paper and hid it."
3
A rapid sequence of punches or strikes thrown together in boxing or martial arts.
"The boxer landed a quick combination to the body."
"The coach taught the class a simple combination of a jab and a hook."
"In training, he practised a fast combination on the heavy bag."
How to use combination
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTwo or more things joined or used together — whether ingredients, numbers on a lock, or punches in a fight.
Common pairings
winning combination
combination lock
combination of factors
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Word forms
- Plural
- combinations
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The dish is a _____ of sweet and spicy flavors.
Etymology
From Old French combination, from Late Latin combinatio, built from combine plus the noun suffix -ation.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for combination
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for 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.
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