unite
yoo-NYTE
/juːˈnaɪt/
To come or bring together for a common purpose or action.
Unite is the strongest term for peace, suggesting that separate entities have become a single, cohesive whole.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'unire', from 'unus' (one). To unite is the act of making many into one. It is the root of 'universe' (turned into one) and 'unique' (the only one).
Word relationships
- harmonize: Harmonize means to fit together; unite means to become one.
- divide: Divide means to separate into parts, the direct opposite of uniting.
Commonly confused with
- combine: Combine is often used for physical things (like ingredients); unite is more often used for people or abstract concepts.
Word family
- unity (noun): The state of being united or joined as a whole.
- union (noun): The action of joining together.
- united (adjective): Joined together politically, for a common purpose, or by common feelings.
Collocations
- unite against
- unite in support
- unite the country
Idioms & expressions
- united we stand
Example sentences
- "Working men of all countries, unite!" Political Philosophy
- "The tragedy served to unite the community in a way that nothing else could." Social Action
Memory hook
Unite makes 'u' and 'i' into 'one'. Many becoming one.
When not to use
Do not use when things are just near each other; they must be joined in purpose or structure.
Fun facts
- The United States of America was one of the first modern nations to use 'United' as a core part of its identity.
Related words
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.