English Reference

Word

unite

US/ˈjuˌnaɪt/

UK/juːnˈaɪt/

Definitions

01to join together

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to join two or more things or groups together to make them one.

v. to join or combine separate parts, groups, or entities into a single, cohesive whole. Often used transitively with a direct object.

“The two small companies decided to unite to form a much larger business.”

“The treaty aimed to unite the fractured provinces under a single administrative framework, though local resistance remained significant.”

Synonyms

02to work together

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to act together with other people to achieve something.

v. to act in concert or agreement for a common purpose or against a common adversary. Often functions as an intransitive verb.

“The community must unite if we want to save the local park from being closed.”

“The various political factions managed to unite against the proposed legislation, setting aside their ideological differences for the duration of the campaign.”

Antonyms

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “unite” in context.

Verb

01. strive to unite the country

“The new president promised to strive to unite the country after years of division.”

verb + infinitive

02. unite against a common enemy

“The nations decided to unite against a common enemy to ensure global security.”

verb + prep + adj + noun

03. unite in their efforts

“The researchers united in their efforts to find a cure for the disease.”

verb + prep + possessive + noun

04. unite to form

“Several small businesses united to form a powerful cooperative.”

verb + infinitive

Preposition

05. in an attempt to unite

“The leader spoke to the crowd in an attempt to unite the various factions.”

prep + noun + prep + noun

Adverb

06. firmly unite

“The common threat firmly united the two rival political parties.”

adv + verb

07. unite closely

“The local communities united closely to rebuild the town after the flood.”

verb + adv

Real-World Examples

“Well, of course, in the long term, Ireland will be united.” Such a process would be, he added, “a long process where people have got to come together and find a way of agreeing.”
The Guardian 29 Aug 2026
“Tonight we are one united Republican party,” he said.”
The Guardian 19 Aug 2026

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ís? Proto-Indo-European *h₁óynos Proto-Italic *oinos Old Latin oinos Latin ūnus Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Latin -iō Latin ūniō Proto-Indo-European *-tós Proto-Italic *-tos Latin -tus Latin ūnītuslbor. Middle English uniten English unite From Middle English uniten, from Latin ūnītus, perfect passive participle of ūniō.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

ADJECTIVE

This entry

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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
Frequency
Frequent
Level
B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
Updated

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