# tie

/ˈtaɪ/ (US) · /tˈaɪ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. clothing

noun · CEFR A2

a long piece of cloth that you wear around your neck under a shirt collar.

For teachers: a necktie; a decorative strip of fabric worn around the neck and knotted at the throat.

- He had to wear a suit and a tie for the job interview.
- The dress code for the gala requires a black tie, though many guests opt for more creative interpretations of formal wear.

### 2. connection

noun · CEFR B1

a strong connection or relationship between people, groups, or countries.

For teachers: a strong emotional, social, or political connection between entities.

- The two countries have strong trade ties that go back many years.
- Despite living abroad for decades, she maintained close family ties through weekly video calls and annual visits to her hometown.

### 3. equal score

noun · CEFR B1

a situation in a game or competition where two people or teams have the same score.

For teachers: a state of parity in a competition where two or more participants achieve the same numerical result.

- The game ended in a tie, so they had to play for ten more minutes.
- The championship concluded in a three-way tie, forcing the officials to consult the rulebook for a tie-breaking procedure.

### 4. music notation

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a curved line that joins two musical notes of the same pitch to show they should be played as one long note.

For teachers: a curved line connecting two notes of identical pitch, indicating they are to be played as a single sustained duration.

- The tie across the bar line means you hold the note into the next measure.
- The composer used a tie to extend the final chord across three measures, creating a sense of fading resonance.

### 5. to fasten with string

verb · CEFR A2

to fasten or join things together using string, rope, or a similar material.

For teachers: to secure or fasten by means of a cord, rope, or strap, typically by forming a knot.

- Make sure you tie your shoelaces so you do not trip.
- The sailors had to tie the cargo down securely before the storm reached the harbour.

### 6. to reach an equal score

verb · CEFR B1

to get the same score as someone else in a game or competition.

For teachers: to achieve the same score or ranking as an opponent in a competitive context.

- If they score one more goal, they will tie the game.
- The underdog managed to tie the score in the final seconds of the match, stunning the home crowd.

## Examples

- He wears a blue tie to every job interview.
- The match ended in a tie, so the two teams had to play for ten more minutes to find a winner.
- While the dress code has become increasingly casual in modern offices, wearing a tie remains a standard requirement for legal professionals appearing in court.

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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.