Word

ally

noun C1

/ˈæl.aɪ/

Meanings

noun

A person or organization that cooperates with and supports another.

noun

A country that supports another country, especially in conflict or negotiations.

verb

To join with someone to give help or work together.

Definition

An ally is a person, group, or country that supports and cooperates with another in pursuit of shared goals.

An ally is someone you can rely on for support, cooperation, or protection, especially when facing challenges. Allies often share interests or values and work together to achieve a goal. The word is common in politics, workplaces, and social situations, where partnership and trust matter.

Examples

I saw Maria as an ally in the negotiations because she kept the discussion focused on solutions.
You need an ally in a large organization if you want your proposal to survive competing priorities.
He proved to be a reliable ally when the team faced criticism and deadlines at the same time.
She found an unexpected ally in a rival department that shared her concern about quality.
They treated local journalists as allies by offering transparent access instead of controlling the narrative.

Common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse ally (a supporting partner) with alike (similar), but they have different meanings and pronunciation.