ally
/ˈælaɪ/
nounverb
Common
1.n.a friendly nation
2.n.an associate who provides cooperation or assistance
“he's a good ally in fight”
3.v.become an ally or associate, as by a treaty or marriage
“He allied himself with the Communists”
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ally and friend share a recorded sense, so the question is not what they mean but which one fits. ally means “a friendly nation”. friend means “a person you know well and regard with affection and trust”. friend is the more common of the two in everyday English.
/ˈælaɪ/
1.n.a friendly nation
2.n.an associate who provides cooperation or assistance
“he's a good ally in fight”
3.v.become an ally or associate, as by a treaty or marriage
“He allied himself with the Communists”
/ˈfɹɛnd/
1.n.a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
“he was my best friend at the university”
2.n.an associate who provides cooperation or assistance
“he's a good ally in fight”
3.n.a person with whom you are acquainted
“I have trouble remembering the names of all my acquaintances”
| ally | friend | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈælaɪ/ | /ˈfɹɛnd/ |
| Said | AL-ahy | frend |
| Syllables | 2 | 1 |
| Letters | 4 | 6 |
| Parts of speech | noun, verb | noun |
| Senses | 3 | 5 |
| How common | Common | Core |
| Synonyms | none recorded | none recorded |
Full entry for ally · Full entry for friend · More comparisons