# ally

/ˈæɫaɪ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ally
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. political/military partner

noun · CEFR B2

a country or group that has joined with another for a common purpose, like winning a war.

For teachers: a state formally cooperating with another for a military or political purpose, typically by treaty.

- The two countries have been close allies for over fifty years.
- The prime minister sought to reassure his European allies that the treaty obligations would be met despite the domestic political pressure.

### 2. personal/social supporter

noun · CEFR B2

someone who helps and supports you, especially when others are against you.

For teachers: a person who cooperates with or helps another; often used in social justice contexts to describe a supporter of a marginalised group.

- She was a strong ally during the office dispute and defended my ideas.
- The organisation provides training for people who want to be better allies to the LGBTQ+ community in the workplace.

### 3. to join forces

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to join with another person or group to work together.

For teachers: to combine or unite for a specific purpose; often used reflexively with 'with' or 'to'.

- The small company decided to ally with a larger firm to survive the crisis.
- The minor political party chose to ally itself with the opposition in a desperate attempt to block the controversial legislation.

Usage: Often used in the passive voice or reflexively as 'to ally oneself with'.

## Examples

- France is a key ally of the United States.
- During the war, the two nations became close allies, sharing intelligence and resources.
- In the fight for equality, a true ally is not just a passive supporter but someone who actively uses their privilege to amplify marginalized voices.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.