liaison
lee-AY-zo
Liaison (noun) means a person who acts as a link between two groups, passing information back and forth. Example: “She was appointed as the liaison between the police and the community.”
noun
1
A person who acts as a link between two groups, passing information back and forth.
"She was appointed as the liaison between the police and the community."
"The company hired a liaison to coordinate with foreign investors."
"The school's liaison explained the new timetable to parents at the evening meeting."
2
Communication and cooperation between two parties or organizations.
"Close liaison between the two teams kept the launch on schedule."
"There was little liaison between the designers and the builders, so mistakes crept in."
"Regular liaison with local farmers helped the council plan the new road."
3
A secret or illicit romantic relationship.
"Rumors of a liaison between the two executives spread through the office."
"The novel follows a secret liaison between a married doctor and a young artist."
"Their brief liaison ended when she moved abroad and he never spoke of it."
How to use liaison
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a go-between who connects two groups, or (less formally) a secret romantic affair.
Common mistake
Commonly misspelled — remember the "ai" comes before the second "i": l-i-a-i-s-o-n.
Common pairings
liaison officer
act as a liaison
a secret liaison
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Word forms
- Plural
- liaisons
- Third person singular
- liaisons
- Past tense
- liaisoned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She was appointed as the _____ between the police and the community.
Etymology
From French liaison ("binding"), from Latin ligare ("to bind").
Synonyms
View more →
intermediary
go-between
coordinator
connection
involvement
affaire
amour
link
intimacy
affair
contact
Related words
Rhymes for liaison
See all rhymes for liaison →Frequently asked questions
What does “liaison” mean?
The word “liaison” means a person who acts as a link between two groups, passing information back and forth. In plain terms, either a go-between who connects two groups, or (less formally) a secret romantic affair.
How do you pronounce “liaison”?
“Liaison” is pronounced lee-AY-zo (/liˈeɪˌzɑn/ in IPA).
How do you use “liaison” in a sentence?
Here is “liaison” used in a sentence: “She was appointed as the liaison between the police and the community.”
What part of speech is “liaison”?
“Liaison” is a noun.
Where does the word “liaison” come from?
The word “liaison” comes from Latin. From French liaison ("binding"), from Latin ligare ("to bind").
Is “liaison” a common word?
“Liaison” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “liaison” have?
“Liaison” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who acts as a link between two groups, passing information back and forth.
What is the difference between a liaison and a contact?
A contact is simply a known person one can reach out to, while a liaison has an active role in maintaining ongoing communication and cooperation between two groups or organizations. A liaison's job is specifically to coordinate information flow, not just to be known to both sides.
What does a liaison officer do?
A liaison officer acts as a formal link between two organizations, such as a police department and a community group, passing information back and forth and coordinating cooperation between them.
Can liaison refer to a romantic relationship?
Yes, liaison can also refer to a secret or illicit romantic relationship, a usage distinct from its more common meaning of formal communication between two parties. Context usually makes clear which sense is intended.
