French Conversation · Level 82
60 words
French word
allier
Pronunciation
IPA/alje/
Meaning
- verbcombine
Example
Elle allie le classique et le moderne dans sa boutique.
She combines the classic and the modern in her shop.
More examples
Pour innover, il faut allier théorie et pratique.
To innovate, theory and practice need to be combined.
Core concept
Different elements joined so their distinct qualities work together.
Common phrases
s'allier à quelqu'un
ally with someone
allier savoir et pratique
combine knowledge and practice
allier politique et économie
combine politics and economics
Similar words
associer: To bring two or more things together and connect them.
combiner: To combine several elements into a single whole.
mêler: To mix different things together into one.
lier: To connect two things so they cannot separate.
Definition in French
Unir ou combiner deux éléments (personnes, idées, objets) pour qu'ils deviennent compatibles ou complémentaires.
Word origin
Allier comes through Old French alier from Latin alligare, formed from ad- 'to' and ligare 'to bind'.
Usage tips
- Allier commonly uses à before the second element, as in allier le classique au moderne, while et coordinates both elements directly.