alliance: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal
Quick answer
What does “alliance” mean?
A formal agreement or union between parties (often nations, organizations, or groups) for mutual benefit or to achieve a common goal.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A formal agreement or union between parties (often nations, organizations, or groups) for mutual benefit or to achieve a common goal.
Any connection or relationship based on shared characteristics or interests, such as a marriage, a business partnership, or an alignment of ideologies.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The core usage is identical. The spelling is consistent.
Connotations
Slightly stronger political/military connotation in British English (due to historical context like NATO, WWII alliances). In American English, it's used more broadly for corporate partnerships.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both varieties, with high usage in political, business, and military discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “alliance” in a Sentence
alliance between X and Yalliance with Xalliance against Xin alliance with XVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “alliance” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The two firms are looking to **ally** to combat the new market entrant.
- Smaller parties often **ally** themselves with larger ones to gain influence.
American English
- The tech startups decided to **ally** against the patent lawsuit.
- They **allied** with a local distributor to expand their reach.
adverb
British English
- The groups worked **alliedly** to pass the legislation. (Rare)
- They campaigned **in alliance**. (Phrasal)
American English
- The departments function **alliedly** on this project. (Rare)
- They operated **in alliance** with the community board. (Phrasal)
adjective
British English
- The **allied** forces launched a coordinated campaign.
- They pursued **allied** interests in the region.
American English
- The **allied** nations signed the trade agreement.
- Their **allied** efforts resulted in a successful product launch.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
A strategic alliance between two companies to share technology or enter a new market.
Academic
The study focused on the shifting alliances within the European political landscape of the 19th century.
Everyday
Our two families formed an alliance to organise the neighbourhood barbecue.
Technical
In game theory, players may form temporary alliances to achieve a dominant position.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “alliance”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “alliance”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “alliance”
- Using 'alliance' for casual friendships (overly formal).
- Confusing 'alliance' (the agreement/group) with 'ally' (the individual member).
- Misspelling as 'allience' or 'aliance'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
An 'alliance' often implies a more formal, strategic, and sometimes temporary union, common in politics/military. A 'partnership' is broader, can be less formal, and is very common in business and law, suggesting shared responsibility.
Yes, but it sounds formal or literary. For example, 'Their marriage was a powerful alliance between two influential families.' In everyday speech, 'partnership' or simply 'agreement' is more common for two individuals.
Not inherently. It is neutral. An alliance can be for good (an alliance for peace) or ill (an alliance of criminals). Context provides the positive or negative connotation.
The primary verb is 'to ally' (pronounced /əˈlaɪ/). For example, 'They allied themselves with the winning side.' The act of forming an alliance is 'allying'.
A formal agreement or union between parties (often nations, organizations, or groups) for mutual benefit or to achieve a common goal.
Alliance is usually formal in register.
Alliance: in British English it is pronounced /əˈlaɪəns/, and in American English it is pronounced /əˈlaɪəns/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “an alliance of convenience”
- “strange bedfellows (conceptually related)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: ALL + I + ANCE. 'ALL I want is AN agreement for mutual CErtified benefit.'
Conceptual Metaphor
ALLIANCE IS A BOND/TIE. (e.g., 'forging an alliance', 'ties that bind', 'a strong alliance').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes the core meaning of 'alliance'?