ally1

Pronunciation: /ˈalʌɪ/

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Definition of ally

noun (plural allies)

a state formally cooperating with another for a military or other purpose: debate continued among NATO allies
a person or organization that cooperates with or helps another in a particular activity:he was forced to dismiss his closest political ally
(the Allies) the countries that fought with Britain in the First and Second World Wars: they were caught between the German army of occupation and the advancing Allies

verb

Pronunciation: /also əˈlʌɪ/

(allies, allying, allied) [with object] (ally something to/with)

combine or unite a resource or commodity with (another) for mutual benefit:he allied his racing experience with his father’s business acumen
(ally oneself with) side with or support:he allied himself with the forces of change

Origin:

Middle English (as a verb): from Old French alier, from Latin alligare 'bind together', from ad- 'to' + ligare 'to bind'; the noun is partly via Old French alie 'allied'. Compare with alloy

Spelling rule

If a word ends in a consonant plus -y (as in defy), change the -y to an -i before adding any ending (unless the ending already begins with an -i): (allies, allying, allied).

ally in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of ally in the US English dictionary

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Other

ally1

noun (plural allies)

verb

Origin:

Spelling rule

ally in other Oxford dictionaries

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