adj
Common
tied
tyd
Tied (adj) means Closely linked or connected to something else. Example: “Her career is closely tied to the success of the company.”
adj
1
Closely linked or connected to something else.
"Her career is closely tied to the success of the company."
"The two events are tied together in the public's memory."
"Rising prices are closely tied to the cost of fuel in many countries."
2
Restricted or bound by a condition or agreement.
"The grant is tied to specific spending rules."
"They live in tied accommodation provided by his employer."
"The loan is tied to strict conditions, so read the contract carefully."
3
Having ended with equal scores; drawn.
"It was a tied game going into the last round."
"The match was tied at two goals each when the whistle blew."
"With the vote tied, the chairman had to make the final decision."
How to use tied
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishConnected to, restricted by, or ending in equal results with something.
Common pairings
tied to a contract
tied accommodation
tied game
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more tied
- Superlative
- most tied
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Her career is closely _____ to the success of the company.
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Rhymes for tied
See all rhymes for tied →Frequently asked questions
What does “tied” mean?
The word “tied” means closely linked or connected to something else. In plain terms, connected to, restricted by, or ending in equal results with something.
How do you pronounce “tied”?
“Tied” is pronounced tyd (/taɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “tied” in a sentence?
Here is “tied” used in a sentence: “Her career is closely tied to the success of the company.”
What part of speech is “tied”?
“Tied” is an adjective.
Is “tied” a common word?
“Tied” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “tied” have?
“Tied” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: closely linked or connected to something else.
What does it mean to be tied to something?
To be tied to something is to be closely linked or bound to it, so that the two cannot easily be separated. A person's mood might be tied to the weather, or a bonus tied to performance. It suggests dependence or a strong connection, not necessarily a physical knot.
What is the difference between tied and bound?
Both mean connected or obliged, but bound is stronger. Being tied to a place suggests a close link you might loosen; being bound implies a firm obligation, often by law or duty. Tied can also simply mean level in a contest, a sense that bound never carries.
Can tied mean something other than connected?
Yes. Beyond meaning linked, tied often describes an equal score, as when two teams are tied at the final whistle. It can also mean physically fastened with a knot, as in tied shoelaces. Context makes the meaning clear, but the connected sense usually appears in phrases like tied to or closely tied.
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