conjunction
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
a word used to connect other words, phrases, or parts of a sentence.
a part of speech used to connect words, phrases, or clauses, indicating the semantic relationship between the joined elements.
Simple“Words like 'and', 'but', and 'because' are common conjunctions in English.”
In context“The student struggled to distinguish between coordinating and subordinating conjunctions when analyzing complex sentence structures.”
UsageIn linguistics, it refers to a specific functional category of words.
- 02 C1 Advanced
the situation where two or more things happen at the same time or work together.
the state of being joined or occurring together; a coincidence or combination of events.
Simple“The success of the project was due to a conjunction of hard work and good luck.”
In context“The economic crisis was caused by a rare conjunction of high inflation, energy shortages, and political instability.”
UsageOften used in the phrase 'in conjunction with'.
SynonymsAntonymsseparationdisconnection - 03 C2 Proficiency
when two planets or stars appear to be in the same place in the sky.
the alignment of two celestial bodies such that they have the same celestial longitude as observed from a third body, usually Earth.
Simple“Amateur astronomers gathered to watch the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn.”
In context“The rare planetary conjunction provided researchers with a unique opportunity to calibrate their deep-space observational equipment.”
SynonymsAntonyms - 04 C2 Proficiency
a statement that uses 'and' to join two other statements.
a compound proposition that is true if and only if all its component propositions are true.
Simple“In logic, a conjunction is only true if both parts of the sentence are true.”
In context“The truth table demonstrates that the conjunction of two variables remains false unless both inputs are simultaneously verified.”
Antonymsdisjunction
Usage conjunction likely · conjunction little · conjunction major
“The two are drawing together ahead of a conjunction later that day when the moon will pass less than a degree north of the giant planet.”
“Yes, there will be several concerts and foodie events running in conjunction with the F1 Grand Prix.”
From Old French conjonction, from Latin coniūnctiō (“joining”), from coniungere (“to join”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.