combine
kuhm-BYN
Combine (verb) means to bring two or more things together so they form or work as one. Example: “The two small shops decided to combine and open one larger store.”
verb
1
To bring two or more things together so they form or work as one.
"Combine the milk and the hot water in a large bowl."
"I'm combining business and pleasure on this trip."
"The two small shops decided to combine and open one larger store."
"Combine the flour and sugar in a large bowl."
"The new role combines marketing with product design."
"Joe combines the intelligence of a rock with the honesty of a politician."
How to use combine
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo join separate things into a single whole or a working unit.
Common pairings
combine forces
combine ingredients
combined effort
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- combines
- Past tense
- combined
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The two small shops decided to _____ and open one larger store.
Etymology
From Middle French combiner, from Late Latin combinare ("to unite, yoke together"), from Latin con- ("together") + bini ("two by two").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for combine
See all rhymes for combine →Frequently asked questions
What does “combine” mean?
The word “combine” means to bring two or more things together so they form or work as one. In plain terms, to join separate things into a single whole or a working unit.
How do you pronounce “combine”?
“Combine” is pronounced kuhm-BYN (/kəmˈbaɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “combine” in a sentence?
Here is “combine” used in a sentence: “Combine the flour and sugar in a large bowl.”
What is another word for “combine”?
Words with a similar meaning to “combine” include synonyms at Thesaurus:coalesce.
What is the opposite of “combine”?
The opposite of “combine” — its antonyms — are divide, separate and disunite.
What part of speech is “combine”?
“Combine” is a verb.
Where does the word “combine” come from?
The word “combine” comes from Late Latin. From Middle French combiner, from Late Latin combinare ("to unite, yoke together"), from Latin con- ("together") + bini ("two by two").
Is “combine” a common word?
“Combine” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between 'combine' and 'merge'?
To combine is to bring two or more things together so they form or work as one, while 'merge' stresses that the separate things blend into a single whole with the boundaries between them disappearing. Two companies can combine forces on a project or merge into one organisation.
What is the difference between 'combine' and 'mix'?
'Combine' means to join things so they act together, and the parts may stay identifiable, while 'mix' suggests stirring things together so they are more thoroughly intermingled. You combine ingredients in a recipe and then mix them until smooth.
Do you say 'combine with' or 'combine into'?
You 'combine' one thing 'with' another, as in 'combine flour with water,' and two or more things 'combine into' a single result, as in 'they combined into one team.' The preposition depends on whether you are naming the other element ('with') or the outcome ('into').
What is the difference between 'combine' and 'blend'?
To combine is to bring things together to work as one, while to blend is to mix them so smoothly that the individual parts can no longer be told apart. Blending is a thorough kind of combining, common with foods, colours, and sounds.
