merge
C1Formal to Neutral
Definition
Meaning
To combine or unite two or more things into a single entity, losing their separate identities.
To blend gradually into something else without a clear boundary; to cause separate entities (companies, ideas, data sets, traffic lanes) to join together, often implying a seamless or harmonious integration.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a joining where the constituent parts may still be discernible, but the focus is on the new, unified whole. Often carries connotations of efficiency, synergy, or logical combination. Can be used both transitively and intransitively.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or grammatical differences. Both varieties use 'merge' in identical contexts (business, traffic, computing).
Connotations
Identical connotations of combination and integration in both dialects.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
merge (sth) (with/into sth)merge togethermerge to do sthVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Merge into the background”
- “Merge like water into water”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to the legal consolidation of two companies into a single entity (e.g., 'The two banks announced plans to merge.').
Academic
Used to describe the integration of theories, data sets, or disciplines (e.g., 'The study merges qualitative and quantitative methods.').
Everyday
Commonly used for traffic (e.g., 'Merge left ahead') or blending ingredients/ideas.
Technical
In computing, it means to combine data from different sources, especially in version control (e.g., 'merge a branch in Git').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The two firms will merge to create a market leader.
- The footpath merges with a country lane further on.
- You need to merge the PDFs into a single document.
American English
- The companies merged to cut costs.
- Wait for a safe gap before merging onto the highway.
- Let's merge our ideas before the meeting.
adverb
British English
- N/A (Not a standard adverb form; 'mergedly' is non-existent.)
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- Use the merge function in the software.
- The merge lane is clearly signposted.
American English
- The merge document is ready for review.
- He works in the merged accounting department.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The two small roads merge here.
- The colours merge to make orange.
- The two companies decided to merge last year.
- The motorway lane merges with the main carriageway ahead.
- The proposals merge elements from both political philosophies.
- The streams merge at the bottom of the valley to form a river.
- The artist's work merges traditional techniques with digital media, creating a unique style.
- The consultancy was created by merging three smaller specialist firms.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine two MERcury droplets coming together to form one larger droplet; they MERGE seamlessly.
Conceptual Metaphor
UNITY IS WHOLENESS (combining parts into a complete entity), PATHS/STREAMS CONVERGING.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'поглощать' (to absorb/swallow up), which implies one entity consuming another. 'Merge' suggests a more mutual or balanced combination. The closer Russian equivalents are 'объединять(ся)', 'сливать(ся)'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'merge together' redundantly in formal writing (though common in speech). Confusing 'merge' (combine) with 'emerge' (come out).
Practice
Quiz
In a business context, which phrase is the most natural collocation with 'merge'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neutral-to-formal. It is standard in business, legal, and technical contexts, but also perfectly acceptable in everyday speech (e.g., merging traffic).
'Merge' implies a union where separate identities are lost to form a new, single entity (e.g., companies). 'Mix' implies combining substances where components may remain distinguishable (e.g., mixing paints).
Yes. A common intransitive use is: 'The two companies merged.' or 'The lane merges ahead.'
The primary noun is 'merger' (especially for businesses). The gerund 'merging' can also function as a noun (e.g., 'the merging of the departments').
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