Vocapedia
Log inTry for Free

Looking up...

Explore

  • Words of the Year
  • Recent Lookups
  • Community Collections
  • How to Say

Dictionaries

  • English
  • Vietnamese
  • Japanese
  • Chinese
  • Spanish
  • French
  • Korean
  • German
  • Hindi
  • Italian

MY LEARNING

  • My Dictionary
  • My Collections
  • Reviews

Resources

  • Learning Resources
  • How It Works
  • Study Guides
  • Language Tips
  • FAQ
  • Getting Started
  • For Individuals
  • For Teachers

Community

  • Forum
  • Blog
  • Help Center
  • Partnerships

About

  • About Vocapedia
  • Contact Us
  • Feedback

Legal

  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Accessibility
  • GDPR Compliance
© 2026 Vocapedia. All rights reserved.
  1. Home /
  2. Dictionaries /
  3. English Dictionary /
  4. alliance

alliance

/əˈlaɪ.əns/

What does "alliance" mean in English?

a partnership or association formed for mutual benefit

The two companies formed an alliance to develop new technology.

They joined forces to achieve a common goal.


How to use "alliance" correctly: definitions and examples in English?

formal

A union or association formed for mutual benefit, especially between countries, organizations, or individuals.

The alliance between the two nations strengthened their defense capabilities.

They joined forces to enhance their military security.

Often used in political, business, or military contexts.

Collocations

form an allianceto create a partnershipstrategic alliancea partnership for long-term advantagemilitary alliancea union of countries for defense

Synonyms

partnershipcoalitionassociationunionpact

Antonyms

rivalryconflictoppositiondivision

Related Phrases

alliance of conveniencephrase
a temporary partnership for mutual benefit
alliance systemphrase
a network of formal alliances

Pro Tip

Formal vs. Informal Use

Use 'alliance' in formal contexts like business or politics. For casual settings, 'partnership' or 'team-up' may be more appropriate.

Gold Rule

Context Matters

An 'alliance' implies a formal or strategic partnership, not just a casual agreement.

Word Origin

From Old French 'alliance,' from Latin 'alligantia,' meaning 'a binding or tying together.'

Usage Notes

The term is often used in formal contexts, such as international relations or business agreements.

Word Breakdown

alliance
a binding or tying together
root
English Dictionary
Browse more English→English words →

Learning Progress

Track your learning journey!

• Save words to build your vocabulary

• Monitor your daily streak

• Get personalized review reminders

• See words learned statistics

Log in to access advanced features and track your progress!

Go to Dashboard →

Words of the Year

The most notable words that defined each year. Discover the vocabulary that shaped our world.