Word
align
US/əˈɫaɪn/
UK/ɐlˈaɪn/
Definitions
01to put in a line
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to put things in a straight line or to make them level with each other.
v. to arrange components or objects into a straight line or to bring them into a correct relative position.
“Make sure you align the edges of the paper before you staple them together.”
“The mechanic spent nearly an hour trying to align the wheels perfectly to prevent the car from pulling to the left.”
Usage
Often used with the preposition 'with'.
Synonyms
02to match ideas or goals
C1 · Advanced Academic
v. to change something so that it matches or works well with another thing.
v. to organise or adjust different elements so they are consistent or work together effectively.
“The school needs to align its lessons with the new national exams.”
“The department head worked closely with the board to align the company's long-term strategy with its current financial capabilities.”
Synonyms
03to support a group
C1 · Advanced Formal
v. to publicly support a person, a political group, or a country because you share their ideas.
v. to identify with or support the interests of a particular group, party, or ideology.
“The small country decided to align itself with its stronger neighbours for protection.”
“During the conflict, several neutral nations chose to align themselves with the international coalition to ensure regional stability.”
Usage
Frequently used as a reflexive verb ('align oneself with').
04computing/data
C2 · Proficiency Computing Technical
v. to arrange data or code in a specific way so a computer can read it quickly.
v. to store data in memory at addresses that are multiples of a specific word size to optimise processing speed.
“The software will automatically align the text blocks within the grid.”
“The compiler must align the data structures to the processor's cache lines to avoid significant performance penalties during execution.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “align” in context.
Adverb
01. closely align
“The company's new sustainability goals closely align with international environmental standards.”
adv + verb
Real-World Examples
“There has never been a trans woman – a person assigned male at birth who transitions to align with their gender identity – on a WNBA roster.” “Solar eclipses occur when the sun, moon and Earth align in space.” “She adds that while socks and sandals have become a viral fashion trend "it's important to consider whether a trend aligns with the image you want to communicate professionally".” Etymology
From Middle English alynen, alinen (“copulate”), from Middle French aligner, from Old French alignier, from a- + lignier, from Latin lineare (“make straight or perpendicular”), from the noun linea (“line”), from līneus (“flaxen; flaxen [thing]”), from līnum (“flax”), likely ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *līnom (compare linen).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Idioms
01. stars align
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
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