ENGLISH
REFERENCE

combine

v.
B1 Intermediate Oxford US //ˈkɑmbaɪn// com·bine Archaic General-service Informal

v. to join two or more things together to make one single thing. You can use it for mixing ingredients, joining companies, or putting ideas together.

v. to join or merge two or more entities, substances, or qualities into a single unit or collective whole. Often used to describe the synthesis of abstract concepts or the physical mixing of components.


SIMPLE

You need to combine the flour and eggs in a large bowl.

CONTEXTUAL

The two small tech startups decided to combine their resources to compete with the larger market leaders.

COMPLEX

The architect's latest design manages to combine traditional local materials with a futuristic aesthetic, creating a building that feels both grounded and innovative.

Synonyms
Origin

PIE word *dwóh₁ From Middle English combynyn, from Middle French combiner, from Late Latin combīnāre (“unite, yoke together”), from Latin con- (“together”) + bīnī (“two by two”).

Usage

The verb is transitive when an object is being mixed, but can be intransitive when two things merge together. Often takes the preposition 'with'.

Pitfall

The yellow paint combined to the blue paint.The yellow paint combined with the blue paint.Combine typically takes the preposition 'with' rather than 'to' when describing the union of two things.

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